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Definitions - Topic 18 Variation and Selection - CAIE Biology IGCSE

The document defines key terms related to variation and natural selection, including adaptation, genetic variation, natural selection, and phenotypic variation. It explains that genetic variation arises through mutations and sexual reproduction, creating differences in genotypes and phenotypes within a population. Natural selection leads to evolution by gradually increasing the frequency of advantageous traits in a population over many generations.

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134 views2 pages

Definitions - Topic 18 Variation and Selection - CAIE Biology IGCSE

The document defines key terms related to variation and natural selection, including adaptation, genetic variation, natural selection, and phenotypic variation. It explains that genetic variation arises through mutations and sexual reproduction, creating differences in genotypes and phenotypes within a population. Natural selection leads to evolution by gradually increasing the frequency of advantageous traits in a population over many generations.

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Definitions and Concepts for CAIE Biology IGCSE

Topic 18: Variation and Selection

Definitions in ​bold ​are for supplement only

Adaptation ​- The process by which populations over many generations become


increasingly suited to their environment, as a result of natural selection.

Adaptive feature ​- An inherited feature of an organism that increases its chance of survival
and reproduction in its environment.

Adaptive feature​ - An inherited functional feature that increases the fitness of an


organism.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria ​-​ ​Bacteria that mutate to become resistant to an antibiotic,


survive and reproduce very rapidly, passing on their antibiotic resistance.

Artificial selection ​- See ‘selective breeding’.

Competition​ - When different organisms compete for the same resources (e.g. light, water,
mates) in an ecosystem. This limits population sizes and stimulates evolutionary change.

Continuous variation ​- A type of variation that cannot be categorised e.g. skin colour,
height. It produces a continuous range in which a phenotype can take any value between
two extremes.​ ​It is affected by environmental conditions.

Discontinuous variation ​- A type of variation that can be categorised e.g. blood group,
tongue rolling. A characteristic can only appear in discrete values.​ ​It is generally influenced
by genes alone.

Evolution ​- The gradual change in the adaptive features of a population over time.
Occurs due to natural selection.

Fitness ​- The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Gene mutation​ - A random change in the base sequence of DNA which may result in
genetic variants. Mutations may be beneficial, damaging or neutral.

Genetic variation ​- Differences in the genotypes of organisms of the same species due to
the presence of different alleles, arising through mutations and sexual reproduction. It
creates variation in phenotypes.

Hydrophytes ​- Plants that are adapted to live and reproduce in very wet habitats e.g.
water lilies.

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Mutagen ​- A chemical, biological or physical agent that increases the rate of gene mutations
above normal level e.g. ionising radiation.

Mutation ​- A genetic change. Mutations may form new alleles.

Natural selection ​- The process by which the frequency of advantageous traits passed on in
genes gradually increases in a population over time.

Phenotypic variation ​- Differences in the phenotypes of organisms of the same species.


Due to interactions of the genotype and the environment.

Population ​- All organisms of the same species living with one another in a habitat.

Selective breeding ​- The process by which humans artificially select organisms with
desirable characteristics and breed them to produce offspring with desirable phenotypes.
Also known as artificial selection.

Sickle cell anaemia ​- A recessive genetic disorder caused by a change in the base
sequence of the haemoglobin gene. This results in abnormal haemoglobin which
distorts red blood cells.

Sickle haemoglobin allele (Hb​S​) ​- A recessive allele of the haemoglobin gene. An


individual that has inherited both recessive alleles (Hb​S​Hb​S​) has sickle-cell anaemia.
Heterozygous individuals (Hb​S​ Hb​A​) exhibit virtually no symptoms of anaemia and are
resistant to malaria.

Variation​ - Differences between individuals of the same species.

Xerophytes ​- Plants that are adapted to live and reproduce in dry habitats where water
availability is low e.g. cacti and marram grass.

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