Environmental influences on variation

• What are the key differences between genetic and environmental variation?

  • Genetic Variation:
  • Determined by genes from parents
  • Stable traits, like eye color
  • Example: different hair textures in family
  • Environmental Variation:
  • Caused by external factors
  • Can change phenotype
  • Example: muscle size from training
• What are key environmental factors that influence variation?

  • Climate (temperature, rainfall)
  • Diet
  • Lifestyle
  • Pollution
  • Social interactions
• What is the temperature range for the rabbit on the right?

  Reared at temperatures above 30°C
• What influences an organism's phenotype?

  Genotype and environment
• In what way can lifestyle impact variation in organisms?

  Lifestyle choices can affect health and development
• What role does climate play in influencing variation?

  It affects temperature and rainfall patterns
• What is the relationship between genotype and environment in determining phenotype?

  • Genotype: genetic makeup
  • Environment: external factors
  • Combined influence leads to visible traits
• How does temperature affect the coat color of Himalayan rabbits?

  Below 20°C, they develop black fur
• What factors might influence the differences in appearance between the two rabbits?

  • Temperature adaptation
  • Metabolic rate
  • Fur/coat development
  • Behavior and activity levels
• What are the two main sources of variation?

  Inherited genes and external factors
• How does diet influence an organism's phenotype?

  It affects the nutrients available for growth
• What is the significance of environmental variation in evolution?

  It creates differences within a species
• What is the impact of pollution on an organism's phenotype?

  It can lead to harmful changes in traits
• How does environmental variation influence plant growth?

  • Plants grow taller in sunlight
  • Enhances competition for light
  • Improves photosynthesis efficiency
• How does the lemur's environment affect its phenotype?

  Its rainforest environment shapes its physical appearance
• What are the key differences between the two rabbits shown?

  • The rabbit on the left is reared at 20°C or less
  • The rabbit on the right is reared at temperatures above 30°C
• How does variation relate to differences in traits?

  Variation means differences in traits
• What happens to plants that grow taller in sunlight?

  They enhance their ability to compete for light
• What trait variation is observed in Himalayan rabbits?

  Coat color
• What does variation mean in a group?

  Differences between people or animals
• What happens to Himalayan rabbits reared above 30°C?

  They remain white
• How can environmental variation affect phenotype?

  It can change phenotype
• How does environmental variation differ from genetic variation?

  Environmental variation alters phenotype, not genotype
• How do social interactions influence variation?

  They can affect behavior and development
• What can cause environmental variation?

  External factors
• What is the process called when individuals with suited traits survive and reproduce?

  Natural selection
• What are the effects of environmental variation on survival and reproduction?

  • Individuals with suited traits survive better
  • They are more likely to reproduce
  • Leads to natural selection
• What is the relationship between variation and traits?

  Variation refers to differences in traits
• How does phenotypic plasticity differ from genetic variation?

  Plasticity changes phenotype; genetic variation does not
• Why is phenotypic plasticity important for survival?

  It allows adaptation to varying environmental conditions
• What does the coat color variation in Himalayan rabbits demonstrate?

  Environmental variation affects trait expression
• What determines genetic variation?

  Genes from parents
• How does environmental variation affect organisms?

  It allows organisms to adapt to their surroundings
• What is the role of phenotype in environmental variation?

  It can change without altering the genotype
• What does the term 'phenotype' refer to?

  Observable traits of an organism
• What is the temperature range for the rabbit on the left?

  Reared at 20°C or less
• What external factors can influence trait expression in organisms?

  • Temperature
  • Light exposure
  • Nutrient availability
  • Environmental conditions
• What are the two sources of differences in variation?

  Genes and the environment
• How do plants demonstrate phenotypic plasticity in sunlight?

  They grow taller to capture more light
• What does phenotypic plasticity mean?

  Change in phenotype due to environmental factors