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Variation
Explain how variation refers to the differences observed among individuals of the same species.
10
Objectives
100
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70
Questions
90 min
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CambridgeIGCSEBiologyVariation and selection
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Variation outcomes10 objectives
- Explain how variation refers to the differences observed among individuals of the same species.
- Indicate that continuous variation leads to a spectrum of phenotypes between two extremes, such as body length and mass.
- Indicate that discontinuous variation results in a limited set of phenotypes without intermediates, with examples like ABO blood types and pea seed shapes and colors.
- Indicate that discontinuous variation is typically caused solely by genetic factors, while continuous variation arises from both genetic and environmental influences.
- Explore and explain instances of both continuous and discontinuous variation.
- Explain mutation as a change in genetic material.
- Indicate that mutations are the mechanism through which new alleles are created.
- Indicate that exposure to ionising radiation and certain chemicals can elevate the mutation rate.
- Explain gene mutation as a random alteration in the DNA base sequence.
- Indicate that mutation, meiosis, random mating, and random fertilisation contribute to genetic variation within populations.
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