variation

• variation is the differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population, due to genetic differences
• the combination of genes from two parents causes genetic variation
• there are two types of variation: genetic variation and environmental variation
• factors such as blood type, eye colour and inherited disorders are determined by only genes
• factors such as suntans, yellow leaves in plants and losing limbs due to frostbite are determined by environmental factors
• factors such as weight, height and condition of teeth are determined by both genetic and environmental factors
• mutations in genes introduce variation to species