Variation — GCSE Biology Revision
Revise Variation for GCSE Biology. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Genetic DisordersWhat is Variation?
Variation is the differences in characteristics between individuals within a species. It can be caused by genetic factors (inherited alleles), environmental factors (conditions during an organism's life), or a combination of both. Genetic variation is crucial for evolution by natural selection.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). The distinction between genetic and environmental causes of variation is a key concept.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Two identical twins have the same genotype. If one twin eats a healthier diet and exercises more, they may grow taller and be stronger than the other. This difference in phenotype is due to environmental variation, as their genetic makeup is the same.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing genetic and environmental variation. Genetic variation is inherited (e.g., eye colour, blood group), while environmental variation is acquired (e.g., a scar, language spoken).
- 2Thinking that all variation is continuous. Variation can be continuous (e.g., height, weight), showing a range of values, or discontinuous (e.g., blood group), falling into distinct categories.
- 3Forgetting that mutation is the ultimate source of all new genetic variation. Mutations are rare, random changes in DNA that can create new alleles.
Variation exam questions
Exam-style questions for Variation with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Variation
Core concept
Variation is the differences in characteristics between individuals within a species. It can be caused by genetic factors (inherited alleles), environmental factors (conditions during an organism's li…
Frequently asked questions
What causes genetic variation?
Genetic variation arises from processes during sexual reproduction, such as the random assortment of chromosomes and crossing over during meiosis, as well as from random mutations in the DNA sequence.
Give an example of a characteristic determined by both genes and environment.
Height is a classic example. An individual's genes determine their potential maximum height, but whether they reach that potential is influenced by environmental factors like nutrition during childhood.