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VARIATION
Variation
Refers to the differences exist between living
organisms as a results of genotypes &
environment
Eg of variations in humans ~ height, weigth,
blood group, tongue rolling, eye colour & sex
Types of variations
2 types :
a) Continuous variation
b) Discontinuous variation
Continuous variation
differences in a character are not distinct
Character are determined by many genes /
environment influences
Discontinuous variation
Comparison between
continuous variation &
discontinuous variation
Similarities
Create varieties
Are caused by environment factors or
genetic factors / both
Differences
Continuous
Discontinuous
Differences in a
character are not
distinctive
Differences in a
character are
distinctive
Quantitative
Qualitative
With intermediate
characters
No intermediate
characters
Normal distribution
Discrete distribution
Controlled by 1 gene /
small no. of genes
Influenced by
environment
Not influenced by
environment
Phenotype is controlled
by many pairs of
alleles
Phenotype is controlled
by a pair of alleles
Causes of variations
Results of :
a) Genetic factors
b) Environmental factors
c) Interactions between genetic factors &
environmental factors
(complete set
of genes)
Causesof
of variation
variation
Causes
Genetic factors
Sexual reproduction
Independent
assortment
Random
fertilisation
Crossing over
Environmental factors
Mutation
Gene
mutation
Chromosomal
mutation
Genetic variations
b) Independent assortment
(methaphase I)
Homologous chromosomes arrange
themselves randomly at metaphase plate
Produces new combinations of genetic info.
c) Random fertilisation
Fertilisation between male gamete & female
gamete occurs randomly
Each gamete has a unique set of genes. A
male gamete can fertilise any of the female
gametes
As a results, each zygote is unique, variations
occurs
2 types of mutation :
a) Chromosomal mutation
b) Gene mutation
a) Chromosomal mutation
1.
2.
3.
4.
4 different types :
Deletion
Inversion
Translocation
Duplication
1. Deletion
Occurs when one end of a chromosome is
break off
The 2 ends rejoin to form a chromosome
deficient in some genes
2. Inversion
When a segment of a chromosome
breaks loose, rotates 180 & rejoins the
chromosome in a reverse direction
No loss of genetic material but a reverse
sequence of genes altered gene activity
3. Translocation
Occurs when a segment of a chromosome
breaks off & joins a non-homologous
chromosome
4. Duplication
Occurs when a broken segment of a
chromosome joins with the other
chromosome of the homologous pair
Resultant chromosome therefore contains
duplicated genes
Non-disjunction
another type of chromosome abnormality
Addition @ loss of one or more chromosomes
Occurs when pairs of chromosomes fail to
separate during meiosis
i)
Eg of chromosomal mutation
1. Down syndrome
2. Klinefelters syndrome
XXY
47 chromosomes (44 + XXY)
Are men that show mixed secondary sexual
characteristics (partial breast development,
broadening of hips, small testes)
Infertile (low sperm count)
3. Turners syndrome
45 chromosomes (44 + XO)
Hormones deficiency prevent XO females fr
menstruating @ develop secondary sexual
characteristics
Infertile, short stature, thick neck, high risk
of cardiovascular diseases, hearing loss
Display X-linked recessive disorders (colour
blindness)
b) Gene mutation
5 different types :
i) Duplication
ii) Addition
iii) Deletion
iv) Inversion
v) Substitution
i) Duplication
When a portion of nucleotide chain
is repeated
ii) Addition
Occurs when an extra nucleotide
sequence is inserted into the chain
(insertion)
iii) Deletion
Occurs when a portion of nucleotide
chain is removed from the
sequence
iv) Inversion
Occurs when a nucleotide sequence
separates from the chain, then
rejoins its original position but in
an inverted manner
v) Substitution
Results when one of the nucleotides
is replaced by another which has a
different nitrogenous base
2. Albinism
Gene mutation of autosomal recessive allele
Albinos have white hair, pink eyes & lightcoloured skin
Do not have enzyme for the production of
melanin (skin pigment)
3. Cystic fibrosis
Mutagen
2 types of mutagens :
a) Radiation ionising mutagens (ultraviolet) &
non-ionising mutagens (X-rays, cosmic rays, -,
-, )
b) Chemicals (nitrous acid, colchicine, mustard
gas & cigarette smoke)
Environmental
factors
Light
- Darkening of human skin when exposed to light
shows a change of phenotype due to
environmental factor
pH
- Aluminium sulphate & sulphur added to the
soil to make it acidic
- Calcium carbonate, calcium oxide,
magnesium oxide & magnesium carbonate
added to soil to make it alkaline
Importance of variation
in organisms