CHAPTER 14:

VARIATION

CHAPTER 14 : VARIATION
2.1 Variation in Organisms
Activity 1 : Complete the table to compare continuous variation and discontinuous
variation
Continuous variation

Discontinuous variation

Differences are slight and grade

into each other

Differences

Slight with intermediate

Intermediate
Determined by

One or a very few genes

Graph

Type of
distribution

Normal distribution

Influencing factor
Cannot be inherited

Genetic factor

Inheritance

Activity 2 : Complete the graphic organizer showing the effects of genetic factors on
variation.
1.Genetic recombination by
c... o.
during meiosis

2.Independent assortment
of
c

Effects of genetic factors

on variation

Random
f
between ovum and any sperm

Mutation

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION
Activity 3 : Match the sequence of events of crossing over during prophase 1.

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION
Activity 4 : Name the type of chromosomal mutation.
Type of mutation

Name

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

Structured items:
1.

Height range

151-155 cm

156-160 cm

161-165 cm

166-170 cm

Number of tree

10

Group of
Hibiscus

TABLE 15.1
Colour of flower
Red
Yellow

Group of Hibiscus
A and C
B and D
TABLE 15.2

(a) What is the type of variation shown by the table 15.3 ?

Trait

Type of variation

Height

Continuous variation

Colour of flower

Discontinuous variation
[2 marks ]

(b) Base from the investigation , what is meant by continuous variation ?

__________________________________________________________-__________________________________________________________
[ 1 mark }
(c)(i)

Using results from table 15.1, draw a histogram of number of Hibiscus

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

tree against the height range (cm).

(ii) Joint the midpoint of each bar to draw a smooth curve .
(iii) Using results from table 15.3 plot a bar graph of number of people against
the ability to roll tongue.
(d)

[5 marks ]

State the factor that can cause this type of variation for each trait stated.
Traits

Factors that cause variation

Height
Tongue Rolling
[2 marks ]
(e)

Explain how the students conducted the investigation to determine the

type of variation in the height of people ?

[3 marks ]

2.
Features :
*

Broad forehead

Short neck and limbs

Almond-shaped eyes with folded eyelids

Thick protruding tounge

Mental retardation

DIAGRAM 15.3
Diagram 15.3 shows a group of children with a genetic disease due to mutation .
(a)

State the genetic disease based on diagram 15.3 .

[1 mark ]

(b)

What is the type of that mutation ?

[1mark ]

(a)

How many chromosomes do the children have ?

[1 mark]

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

(b)

Mutation are caused by agents called mutagens .

Give two examples of mutagens .

[2marks ]

( f ) How do mutagens caused mutation ?

(g)

[2 marks]

Table 15.4 below shows genetic diseases caused by chromosome mutation.

Fill in the blank by using the word given .
Male

Klinefelters syndrome

Turners syndrome
Disease

Jacobs syndrome

Male and Female

Number of

Chromosomes

Chromosomes

involved

( 44 + XO )

Sex

Absence of one sex

( 44 + XXY )

TABLE 15.4

Essay Items.

Female

chromosome
An extra X
chromosomes
[4marks ]

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

1.

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2..

Type of
finger
prints
Curves

Right Loops

Whorl

Left Loops

DIAGRAM 15.4
Diagram 15.4 shows different variation among human beings.
(a ) Determine the type of variation in Diagram 15.4 and 15.5. Give the reasons.
[4 marks]
(b) (i) What are the differences between continuous and discontinuous variation?

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

(ii) State the factors that cause variation in humans .

[6 marks]

There are three sources of genetic factors in sexual reproduction events :

Crossing over during meiosis 1

Independent assortment during meiosis

Random fertilisation

(c) Base from the statement above, explain the three sources of genetic factors
during sexual reproduction

[10 marks]

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

ANSWER :
2.1 Variation in Organisms
Activity 1 : Complete the table to compare continuous variation and discontinuous
variation
Continuous variation

Discontinuous variation

Differences are slight and grade

into each other

Differences

Differences are discreet and

clear cut

Slight with intermediate

Intermediate

No intermediates

A large number of genes

Determined by

One or a very few genes

Graph

Normal distribution

Type of
distribution

Discrete distribution

Environmental factor

Influencing factor

Genetic factor

Cannot be inherited

Inheritance

Can be inherited

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

10

Activity 2 : Complete the graphic organizer showing the effects of genetic factors on
variation.
1.Genetic recombination by
crossing over
during meiosis

2.Independent assortment
of
chromosomes

Effects of genetic factors

on variation

Random
fertilisation
between ovum and any sperm

Mutation

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

Activity 3 : Match the sequence of events of crossing over during prophase 1.

11

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

Activity 4 : Name the type of chromosomal mutation.

Type of mutation

Name

Deletion

Duplication

Inversion

12

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

Translocation

Structured items:
1.

Height range

151-155 cm

156-160 cm

161-165 cm

166-170 cm

Number of tree

10

Group of
Hibiscus

TABLE 15.1
Colour of flower
Red
Yellow

Group of Hibiscus
A and C
B and D
TABLE 15.2

(c) What is the type of variation shown by the table 15.2 ?

Trait
Height

Type of variation
Continuous distribution

13

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

14

Discontinuous distribution

Colour of flower

[2 marks ]
(d) Base from the investigation , what is meant by continuous variation ?
There is a complete range of measurements for height from 151 cm to 170 cm
[1 mark ]
(c)(i)

Using results from table 15.1, draw a histogram of number of Hibiscus

tree against the height range (cm).

(ii)

Joint the midpoint of each bar to draw a smooth curve .

Number of Hibiscus tree

10
8
6
4
2
Height range (cm)

(iii)

151- 156-

161-

166-

155

165

170

160

Using results from table 15.3 plot a bar graph of number of Hibiscus tree
against the height.

[5 marks ]

Number of Hibiscus tree

14
12
10
Height (cm)
(d) State the factor that can cause this type of variation for each trait stated.
Traits
Height

Factors that cause variation

Genetic and environmental factor

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION
Tongue Rolling

15

Genetic factor
[2 marks ]

(e)

Explain how the students conducted the investigation to determine the type of
variation in the height of Hibiscus tree ?

[3 marks ]

-The height of each tree is measured using the measuring tape/ruler.

- The height is grouped into five classes of height range
- The height range is recorded in a frequency table.
- A histogram is drawn to show the normal distribution
[ marks ]
2.
Features :
*

Broad forehead

Short neck and limbs

Almond-shaped eyes with folded eyelids

Thick protruding tounge

Mental retardation

DIAGRAM 15.3
Diagram 15.3 shows a group of children with a genetic disease due to mutation .
(a)

State the genetic disease based on diagram 15.3 .

[1 mark ]

Down Syndrome
(b)

What is the type of that mutation ?

[1mark ]

Chromosomal mutation
(c)

How many chromosomes do the children have ?

[1 mark]

47 chromsomes
(d)

Mutation are caused by agents called mutagens .

Give two examples of mutagens .

[2marks ]

Radioactives radiation , X-rays , ultraviolet light , gamma rays , chemical

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

16

substances , formaldehyde , pesticides .

( f ) How do mutagens caused mutation ?

[2 marks]

Chromosomal mutation -changes in the structure of chromosomes or the

number of chromosomes.
Gene mutation -Chemical change in the structure of gene, it may also alter
the DNA or genetic code.
(g)

Table 15.4 below shows genetic diseases caused by chromosome mutation.

Fill in the blank by using the word given .
Male

Klinefelters syndrome

Turners syndrome
Disease
Turners
syndrome
Klinefelters
syndrome

Female

Jacobs syndrome

Male and Female

Number of

Chromosomes

Chromosomes

involved

( 44 + XO )
( 44 + XXY )

Absence of one sex

chromosome
An extra X

chromosomes
TABLE 15.4

Sex

Female
Male
[4marks

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

Essay Items.

17

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION
1.

2.

Type of
finger
prints

18

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION
Curves

Right Loops

Whorl

19
Left Loops

DIAGRAM 15.4
Diagram 15.4 shows different variation among human beings.
(a ) Determine the type of variation in Diagram 15.4. Give the reasons.
Discontinuous variation.
This is because different people has distinct type of finger print, either curve,
right loop, whorl or left loop.

[4 marks]

(c) (i) What are the differences between continuous and discontinuous variation?
Continuous variation

Discontinuous variation

Differences are slight and grade

into each other

Differences

Differences are discreet and

clear cut

Slight with intermediate

Intermediate

No intermediates

A large number of genes

Determined by

One or a very few genes

Graph

Normal distribution

Type of
distribution

Discrete distribution

Environmental factor

Influencing factor

Genetic factor

Cannot be inherited

Inheritance

Can be inherited

(ii) State the factors that cause variation in humans .

Genetic and environmental factors.

[ 6 marks ]

There are three sources of genetic factors in sexual reproduction events :

Crossing over during meiosis 1

Independent assortment during meiosis

Random fertilisation

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

20

(c) Base from the statement above, explain the three sources of genetic factors
during sexual reproduction
No.
1(a)

[10 marks]

Answer
-Diagram 15.4 is (height ) continuous variation
-Because the differences between individuals are slight

Mark
1m
1m

and can be changed .

-Diagram 15.5 is ( type of fingerprints ) Discontinuous

1m

variation
-Because the differences between individuals are obvious

1m

and cannot be changed

(b)(i)
Continuous variation

Discontinuous variation

Differences between

Differences between

individuals are slightly

individuals are obvious

2m

There is a complete range

There is no gradual

2m

of measurements from

change between two

one extreme to the other

extremes

with intermediates

for a particular
characteristics.
(b)(ii)

(c)

Genetic factors

1m

environmental factors or both.

1m

Crossing over during meiosis

-During prophase I of meiosis, two homologous chromosomes
are paired up in a bivalent.

1m

CHAPTER 14:
VARIATION

21

-The non-sister chromatids break at the chiasma.

1m

-Segment of the chromatids exchange places .

1m

-The exchange of genetic materials between the chromatids

results in new , different genetic combination of genes from the

1m

parents.
-The new genetic combination result in variation .

1m

Independent assortment during meiosis

-During metaphase I of meiosis , homologous chromosomes

1m

arrange themselves randomly at the equator.

-The random arrangement and separation of each homologous

1m

pair is independent of one another.

-Independent assortment produces various genetic

1m

combinations in the gametes .

Random fertalisation
-Each gametes has a unique set or combination of genes .

1m

-A male gamete can fertilise any of the female gametes, .

1m

-so, the fertalisation between a male gamete and a female

1m

gamete occurs randomly.

-As a result , a zygote is formed with variety of gene

1m

combination.
-With random fertilasation , variations occur in the offspring.

1m
( Max:
10 marks )