Qualitative Traits

A qualitative trait is a trait that fits into discrete categories. This means that you can neatly categorize a
trait. For example, if a species of plant had either red leaves or yellow leaves, and nothing in between,
this would be a discrete trait. "Yes or no" traits, traits where an organism either has the trait or doesn't,
also fit into this category. Usually, a single gene or small group of genes control qualitative traits.
Quantitative Traits

Quantitative traits occur as a continuous range of variation. This means that these traits occur over a
range. To picture this, imagine the length of a lizard's tail. The length can vary, and does not fit into
natural categories. Generally, a larger group of genes control qualitative traits. When multiple genes
influence a trait, you can also describe it as a "polygenic trait."

Examples of Qualitative Traits

This concept may make more sense with examples. Some examples of qualitative traits include
round/wrinkled skin in pea pods, albinism and humans' ABO blood groups. The ABO human blood
groups illustrate this concept well. Except for some rare special cases, the humans can only fit into one
of four categories for the ABO part of their blood type: A, B, AB or O. Since the ABO part of your
bloodtype fits neatly into four categories, it is a qualitative trait. You can often represent qualitative
traits with a number.

Examples of Quantitative Traits

Similarly, examples can help people assimilate the idea of quantitative traits. These traits include height,
intelligence and skin color. In some organisms, disease resistance is a quantitative trait. Human height
illustrates the concept well. Height can occur across a range. While you can say that someone is "short"
or "tall," these are arbitrary values, not innate categories. Instead, the most accurate way to measure
height is with a numerical value, making it a quantitative trait.

Genetic variation refers to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals in a population.

Genetic variation is necessary in natural selection. In natural selection, organisms with environmentally
selected traits are better able to adapt to the environment and pass on their genes.

Major causes of variation include mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction.

DNA mutation causes genetic variation by altering the genes of individuals in a population.

Gene flow leads to genetic variation as new individuals with different gene combinations migrate into a
population.

Sexual reproduction promotes variable gene combinations in a population leading to genetic variation.

Examples of genetic variation include eye color, blood type, camouflage in animals, and leaf
modification in plants.