Unit 2: Variation Flashcards
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can reproduce to create fertile offspring
What is variation?
Variation is any difference between cells, individual organisms or groups of organisms of any species caused by genetic differences
What is random sampling?
Using coordinates to select random samples (unbiased).
What is normal distribution?
It shows the distribution of random variables on a bell shaped graph
What is the mean?
The average of a group of numbers
What is standard deviation?
Measures the spread of numbers, the average distance of each number from the mean
What is interspecific variation?
Variation within different species
What is intraspecific variation?
Variation within a species
What is genetic diversity?
The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic make up of a species
What is a genetic bottleneck?
An event that leads to a decrease in the genetic variation within a population
What is the founder effect?
Genetic diversity being reduced due to the population having descended from only a few colonising ancestors
What is discontinuous variation?
When a characteristic is either present or absent, usually controlled by a single gene
What is continuous variation?
When there is a possibility of multiple characteristics; usually caused by polygenes, multiple genes.