Unit 2 : Multi-cellular Organisms - Variation and Inheritance Flashcards
What is meant by variation ?
When members of the same species share many common characteristics but they are not identical.
What are the 2 types of variation ?
Discrete & continuous
What is discrete variation ?
Discrete variation is seen where a characteristic shows a small number of distinct groups, when individuals can be divided into 2 or more distinct groups.
How can discrete variation be represented ?
By a bar chart or pie chart.
Give examples of discrete variation ?
Eye colour, blood type, finger print, etc..
What is continuous variation ?
Continuous variation is seen when a characteristic shows a wide range of measurements occurring between two extremes.
How can continuous variation be represented ?
by a line graph or histogram
Give examples of continuous variation ?
height in humans, weight, etc.
What are alleles ?
Different forms of the same gene.
What is the genotype ?
The genetic makeup of an organism.
What does a capital letter represent ?
Dominant allele.
What does the lower case letter represent ?
Recessive allele.
What is the phenotype ?
The physical appearance of an organism.
How is the phenotype determined ?
By the genotype.
What is meant by homozygous ?
When two alleles are the same.
