CHAPTER 6

VARIATION
Variation: The differences between
individuals of the same species
PIGEONS
GUPPIES
Learning Outcomes
state the important of variation in organism
give example of variation in humans
state the types of variation
compare continuous variation with
discontinuous variation

Learning Objective
6.1 Understanding variation in
organisms
For the survival of the species in the
change of environment
~if all the members of species are identical,
an environmental disaster which kills one
of them would most likely kill all of them.

The important of Variation

 Types of Variations
continuous variation
with a continuous range of intermediate
values
eg. height, weight, hand span, chest
circumference, skin color and intelligent
 Types of Variations
discontinuous variation
The character is clear-cut and not
showing intermediates
eg. Tongue rolling, ear
Discontinuous Variation
 Thumb
Extension
This trait is reportedly
due to a single gene;
strait thumb is
dominant and
hitchhiker's thumb is
 Tongue rolling ability
may be due to a single
gene with the ability to
roll the tongue a
dominant trait and the
lack of tongue rolling
ability a recessive

Tongue
Rolling
Dimples
Dimples are reportedly due
to a single gene with
dimples dominant (people
may exibit a dimple on only
one side of the face) and a
lack of dimples is recessive.
Compare Continuous Variation with
discontinuous variation

No Characteristic Continuous Discontinuous

variation variation
1 Intermediate

2 Type of graph

3 Quantitative/Q
ualitative
4 Example
Compare Continuous Variation with
discontinuous variation

No Characteristic Continuous Discontinuous

variation variation
1 Intermediate intermediate no intermediate

2 Type of graph normal discrete

distribution distribution curve
curve

3 Quantitative/Q quantitative Qualitative

ualitative
4 Example
Learning Outcomes
state the factors causing variation
explain the effects of genetic factors on variation
explain the effects of environmental factors on
variation
explain the effects of the interaction between genetic
factors and environmental factors on variation
explain what is mutation
explain the importance of variation in the survival of a
species

Learning Objective
6.2 Understanding the causes
of variation
The factors causing variation
2 factors:
1. Genetics
2. Environmental

Genetic Factors
1. Meiosis
(i) Crossing over
(ii) Independent assortment
(iii) Random Fertilisation
2. Mutation
 Causes of Variations
1. GENETIC FACTORS

1. CROSSING OVER

Non-sister chromatids undergo crossing over during

prophase I which involve exchange segment of DNA to
produce gametes with a variety combination/ cause variation
2. INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT
-Homologous pair of chromosomes
arrange randomly on metaphase plate
during metaphase I

-produce gametes with different

combination of homologous chromosomes

-variation of gametes
Independent Assortment
3. RANDOM FERTILISATION
Gametes from different parents with
diverse/different combination of homologous
chromosome are fused together

-to form zygote

-with variety of gene combination

Random Fertilization
RANDOM FERTILISATION
 Causes of Variations
MUTATIONS
-A permanent change in the sequence of DNA or in the
amount of DNA

-sometimes occur naturally eg. Mistakes that occcur

during DNA replication or uneven distribution of
chromosomes during cell division

-rate may greatly increased if the organism is exposed to

mutagens
-1) high- energy radiation(radiation-X-rays/gamma
rays/UV,
-2) chemicals mutagens-benzene, formaldehyde, tar,
asbestos, chloroform or neutron bombardment)

-most mutation are harmful but not all

Action of mutagens- X-rays
- Mutation that occur in somatic cell will not be
inherited but only affect the person during his lifetime
but mutation that occur in the cells that produce
gametes can be inherited

2 types of mutation :
1. Gene mutation
2. Chromosome mutation
GENE MUTATION

D: A type of mutation involve an alteration in base

sequence of DNA , cause changing the genetic code and
Order of amino acids for synthesis of proteins
Involves either deletion, insertion or substitution of
nucleotide base

E : Albinisme/ haemophilia/ SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

S : cause genetic disease

GENE MUTATION
EXAMPLES OF INHERITED DISEASES CAUSE BY GENE
MUTATION :

1. Sickle-cell Anaemia (red blood cells become

sickle / S-shaped)
2. Albinism (lack of enzyme producing skin pigment,
melanin)
3. Polydactylism
4. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (premature
ageing)
Polydactylism
CHROMOSOME MUTATION
Involve either:
1. an increase or decrease in the number of
chromosomes
2. a change in the structure of the
chromosome

Increase or decrease in the number of

chromosomes can be caused by the failure of
homologous chromosomes to segregate
during Meiosis I and Meiosis II which produce
gametes with either extra chromosome or lack
of chromosome (NONDISJUNTION)
An Increase Or Decrease In The Number Of
Chromosomes

Examples
of genetic disorder resulting from
chromosomal mutation :

1. Downs syndrome (individual with extra

chromosome 21)

2. Turners syndrome (female individual with only 45

chromosomes, 44 autosome+X chromosome)

3. Klinefelters syndrome (male individual 47

chromosomes, 44 autosomes+XXY chromosomes
 2. A Change In The Structure Of The Chromosome
(a) Deletion
O : fragment of chromosome

C : break of

E : lost

R : structure of chromosomes change

2. A Change In The Structure Of The Chromosome

(b) Duplication

O : A fragment of chromosomes

C : double/repeated

E R : produce new chromosome with

extra genetic material

2. A Change In The Structure Of The Chromosome

(c) Inversion

O : A fragment of chromosomes

C : removes and rotates through 180o and

inserted back at the same location

E R : produce new chromosomes change in

sequence of genes

2. A Change In The Structure Of The Chromosome

(d) Translocation

O: A fragment of a chromosome

C : breaks off and then attaches to another

chromosomes

ER : produce two chromosomes with different

sequence of genes compare to the initial ones
 2. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
cause variation in characters with
continuous variation
15.2.3 : Explain the effects of environment factors on
variation

phenotype of plant effect by environment factors

Change and acquired characteristic which cannot be
inherited

15.2.4 : Explain the effects of interaction between genetic

and environmental factors on variation

several pairs of alleles influences by environmental

and interaction between one another and cause
variation
The end.. By Siti Marziah