Genes and variation

• What are chromosomes made of?

  Chromosomes are really long molecules of DNA.
• Why do organisms of the same species have differences?

  Organisms of the same species have differences due to genetic variation.
• What is the genotype of an organism?

  The genotype is all of the genetic information inherited from its parents.
• How can environmental conditions affect an organism's phenotype?

  Environmental conditions can influence the phenotype by affecting growth and development.
• What would happen to a plant grown in darkness compared to one grown in light?

  A plant grown in darkness would grow differently than one grown in light, often becoming tall and spindly.
• What are the two types of variation in organisms?

  Variation can be continuous or discontinuous.
• What is continuous variation?

  Continuous variation occurs when individuals in a population vary within a range.
• What is discontinuous variation?

  Discontinuous variation occurs when individuals fall into distinct categories.
• How does height exemplify discontinuous variation in humans?

  Height in humans can show discontinuous variation as individuals can be categorized into distinct height ranges.