Variation!

Describe the difference

State what is meant by Explain how variation
between environmental
variation. occur in species.
and inherited variation.

DO NOW TASK: What

do you think the word Keywords:
“characteristic” means? • variation
• species
Have a look at the person
next to you. List some of • environment
their characteristics? • inherited
Are they the same as
yours or different?
If you imagine your friends and
family, you will picture people who
look quite different to each other.
For example, people may vary in
height and have different colour
hair. They have different
characteristics.
 Something to think about….
How do organisms vary?
How is the fox
adapted to catch the
rabbit?
Foxes are fast,
camouflaged and
are crafty.

How is the rabbit adapted

to avoid being caught?
Rabbits are fast, stay near
their burrows and have an
‘early warning system’ to warn
other rabbits.
 1. What does variation mean? CHALLENGE:
2. Pick two pictures and write down What causes
variation in
how they show variation.
species?
 How do organisms vary?

• A characteristic is a feature of an organism. It can

be something we can see (like hair colour) or
something we can’t see (like blood group).

• Differences in characteristics are know as variation.

• It is easy to tell the difference between a dog and a

fish. For example, a fish has fins and gills; a dog has
four legs and is covered in fur. This is because these
organisms belong to different species. They have
lots of different characteristics.
However, it is more difficult to tell the difference
between two fish. This is because organisms of the
same species have lots of similar characteristics.
Only members of the same species can mate to
produce fertile offspring.

Sometimes a species can be further grouped into

types or breeds. These may look quite different but
the individuals still belong to the same species. For
example, different breeds of dog show great
variation but they are all dogs.

Variation exists within a species, and also between

species.
 How do humans vary?

Every human in the world is

different – even identical Rides a
Very horse
twins differ in some ways. intelligent
Speaks Blood
English group AB

What are some of the ways Good tennis Tall

player
Speaks
people may vary?
Short Italian
 What causes variation?
Some variation is from characteristics the
people have inherited from their parents, such
as their eye colour. This is known as inherited
variation.

Children usually share some characteristics

with their mother and some with their father.
They are not identical to either of their
parents, as they get a mixture of their parents’
features. An example of inherited variation is
lobed or lobeless ears.
 What causes variation?
Variation caused by your
surroundings and what happens to
you is called environmental
variation.

For example, your characteristics

can be affected by factors such
as your diet, education, and
lifestyle. A person with dyed hair,
for example, has environmental
variation.
Many characteristics are affected by both inherited and environmental
variation. For example, you might inherit the characteristics to be tall
from your father. However, if you eat a poor diet your rate of growth may
be reduced.
Inherited characteristics that are not affected by environmental
variation include:

TASK: Complete the

• Eye colour variation worksheet.
• Blood group
• Genetic diseases
QUICK CHECK: Inherited, environmental or
both?

Lobed ears Ability to roll your Tattoo

tongue
Height Diabetes
Intelligence
Weight Skin colour Having a scar from
an injury
Accent
Religion Sporting ability
Dyed hair Blood group Eye colour
ANSWERS

Inherited Environmental Both

Lobed ears Dyed hair Height
Ability to roll your Religion Weight
tongue

Blood group Accent Sporting ability

Skin colour Tattoo Intelligence
Eye colour Having a scar from Diabetes
an injury
 PROGRESS CHECK QUESTIONS
1. State what is meant by variation. ANSWERS:

2. State what is meant by a species. 1. Variation – the differences within and between
3. Describe the difference between species.
environmental and inherited 2. Species – A group of living things that have more
variation. in common with each other than with other groups.
4. Describe two ways humans vary. This allows them to mate to produce fertile
offspring.

3. Inherited variation: variation between

CHALLENGE: Explain why identical organisms caused by genetic factors.
twins are the best people to study if Environmental variation: variation between
you want to find out how the organisms caused by environmental factors.
environment influences
4. Intelligence, language, sporting ability, height,
characteristics.
weight, blood group, hair/eye/skin colour, religion.
 SUMMARY QUESTIONS
Q1. Copy and complete the sentences below.
The organisms in a ____________share many of the same ____________. They can
reproduce to produce fertile ____________. Differences in characteristics within a
species are known as ____________. Variation can be a result of ___________ factors
or through ____________ factors. (6 marks)
Q2. Copy and complete the table using the words below. (6 marks)
Body mass, intelligence, tattoo, blood group, eye colour, scar.
Environmental variation Inherited variation Both

Q3. Explain why identical twins are the best people to study if you want to find out how the
environment influences characteristics. (2 marks)
Q4. Explain in detail the difference between inherited and environmental variation.
(6 marks)
 EXIT TICKET: Find the different variations of species in the
paragraph, and highlight to show what caused the variation.

On a visit to the zoo, a student saw lots of different types of big

cat. In the pride of lions the males had a mane, but the females
didn't. There was one lion with a big scar on its face. Some of the
lions were a little overweight. All the tigers had stripes, whilst the
leopards had spots. Some of the leopards were larger than others.
Key points
Inherited – Characteristics caused by genes found in the nucleus of all cells. Can be passed on from
parents to offspring.
Environmental – Characteristics caused by influences in the surroundings. Cannot be passed on from
parents to offspring.
Both – Some characteristics can be influenced by both genes and the environment. Highlight these in
a third colour.
 EXIT TICKET: Find the different variations of species in the
paragraph, and highlight to show what caused the variation.

On a visit to the zoo, a student saw lots of different types of big

cat. In the pride of lions the males had a mane, but the females

didn't. There was one lion with a big scar on its face. Some of the

lions were a little overweight. All the tigers had stripes, whilst the

leopards had spots. Some of the leopards were larger than others.
Key:
Inherited
Environmental
Both