Form 5: Chapter 6 – Variation

Chapter 6: Variation

6.1 Variation in Organism

1. Difference in an organism from the same species.

2. Types:
Continuous Discontinuous
Quantitative Qualitative
- Hand span - Blood group
- Chest circumference - Eyes colour
- Weight - Thumb hyperextension
- Height - Ear lobe shape
- Rolling of tongue
Genetic and environment Genetic

6.2 Causes of variation

Genetic
1. Influenced by:
a) Crossing over Occurs between chromatids from a pair of
homologous chromosomes during prophase
of meiosis I.
b) Independent assortment During metaphase of meiosis I.
c) Mutations i) Gene
ii) Chromosome
d) Random fertilization Between any male gamete and any female
gamete
2. Crossing over and independent assortment produces genetic recombination (new
combinations).

Prepared by: Mr. Gerard Selvaraj

Form 5: Chapter 6 – Variation

Environmental

Phenotype = Genotype + Effects of the environment

Mutation

1. A permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA or in the amount of DNA.

2. Reasons:
a) Mistakes that occur during replication of DNA during cell division.
b) uneven distribution of chromosomes during cell division.
c) a chemical or physical agent.
Physical agent Chemical agent
High energy radiation - benzene
- X-rays - formaldehyde
- gamma rays - carbon tetrachloride
- ultraviolet rays - asbestos
- nuclear radiation - mustard gas
- tar in tobacco smoke
- pesticide
3. Mutations that occur in a body cell will not be inherited but can affect the person
during his lifetime.
4. Gene mutation
a) occurs at a single locus on a chromosome.
b) Involves nucleotide base
c) a change in the sequence of bases may result in a defective protein or no protein being
produced at all.
d) may occur on a recessive or dominant gene.
e) causes many inherited diseases like sickle cell anaemia, albinism and polydactylism.

f) Sickle cell anaemia;

- caused by a mutation on the recessive allele responsible for the production of
haemoglobin.
- the mutated allele causes the production of abnormal haemoglobin which crystallizes,
causing the red blood cells to become sickle shaped or S-shaped.

g) Albinism;
- Albinos cannot produce an enzyme responsible for the production of the skin pigment,
melanin.
- Albinos have white hair, pinkish eyes and skin, and skin that is very sensitive to
sunlight.

h) Polydactylism;
- a polydactyl individual has an extra finger or toe.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerard Selvaraj

Form 5: Chapter 6 – Variation

5. Chromosome mutation
a) an increase or decrease in the number of chromosome or a change in the structure of
the chromosome.
b) caused by the failure of homologous chromosome to segregate during meiosis I and
meiosis II.

c) Down Syndrome
- individual has an extra copy of chromosome number 21, giving a total of 47
chromosomes in each cell.
- broad forehead, short neck and limbs, almond shaped eyes with folded eyelids, thick
protruding tongue and varying degrees of mental retardation and heart defects at birth.

d) Turner’s syndrome
- infertile female has only 44 + X0 chromosomes.
- low levels of sex hormones very little development of secondary sexual characteristics.

e) Klinefelter’s syndrome
- male has 44 + XXY chromosomes.
- underdeveloped sex organs.
- a low level of testosterone, sparse body hair and developed breasts.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerard Selvaraj

Form 5: Chapter 6 – Variation

f) Polyploidy
- addition of one or several whole sets of chromosomes in an organism.
- three sets-triploid
- common among flowering plants and food plants like apples, tomato and wheat to
produce bigger fruit with more nutritional value.

g) change in the chromosomal structure involving rearrangement of whole blocks of

genes on a chromosome.
h) may result in an alteration in the number of genes or in the sequence of whole sets of
genes in chromosomes.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerard Selvaraj

Form 5: Chapter 6 – Variation

The importance of variation in the survival of a species

1. Provides the necessary adaptations for them to compete and also to survive together in
new environments that arise.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerard Selvaraj