6.

2 Causes of Variation

Causes of variation

Two main factors:

1. Genetic factors
2. Environmental factors

1. Genetic factors
Influenced by crossing-over,
independent assortment, mutation and
random fertilisation

Crossing over, independent assortment and fertilisation.

Genetic variation caused by mutation

1.
2.

1.
2.
3.

Mutation sudden permanent change in the

nucleotide sequence of the DNA or in the amount
of DNA.
Two types:
Gene mutation
Chromosome mutation
Mutation can cause by:
Chemical or physical agents (mutagens)
Mistakes that occur during DNA replication
Uneven distribution of the chromosomes during
cell division

2. Environmental factors
Caused by surrounding condition such as:
1.Water
2.Sunlight
3.Nutrients
4.pH
5.Temperature
The effect depends on how much condition
received by an organism during growth

 E.g.
- Chinese primrose (Primula sinensis) will
produce white flower when grow in a
warm temperature and will produce red
flower when grow in cool temperature.

 Environmentally induced cannot be

passed to offspring but genetic variation
can be inherited
Some variation in characteristics results
from interaction between genetic and
environmental factors
E.g. the action of sunlight on genes for
lighted-coloured skin may result in
darker skin

What are the importance of variation

in the survival of a species?

Provides the necessary adaptations

for the species to compete and
survive.
Essential for survival of the species.

Exercise
Do Checkpoint 6.2 on page 202 in the textbook