10.5

• Interspecific Variation is variation between members of different species
• Intraspecific Variation is variation between organisms of the same species
• Genetic Variation is differences in the genetic material an organism inherits from its parents
• Different Alleles produce different effects which causes genetic variation
• Mutations in DNA can change the proteins the genes code for which can affect physical and metabolic characteristics, causing genetic variation
• Mutations in DNA can be passed onto offspring if they occur in the gametes
• During meosis genetic material becomes mixed up due to 'crossing over' and independent assortment, causing genetic variation
• Environmental Variation is differences in organisms due to factors in their environment e.g. scarring