6. Variation–Key Words

Question 1

Continuos Variation

Answer 1

Variation in which organisms do not fall into distinct categories but show graduation from one extreme to another.

Question 2

Discontinuos Variation

Answer 2

Variation shown when the characters of organisms fall into distinct categories.

Question 3

Ecosystem

Answer 3

All the living and living components of a particular area.

Question 4

Intraspecific Variation

Answer 4

Differences between organisms of the same species

Question 5

Interspecific Variation

Answer 5

Differences between organisms of different species

Question 6

Biotic

Answer 6

Living organisms in the ecosystem

Question 7

Abiotic

Answer 7

Non-living physical and chemical elements in the ecosystem

Question 8

Bias

Answer 8

Making unrepresentative choices, deliberately or unwittingly

Question 9

Chance

Answer 9

Even if bias is avoided, chosen individuals, by pure chance may be unrepresentative.

Question 10

Genetic Differences

Answer 10

Due to different alleles. Can arise not only in individuals but change generation to generation.

Question 11

Environmental Influences

Answer 11

Affects the way organisms genes are expressed. (e.g. climatic conditions–temperature, rainfall, and sunlight.)