1. Standard Grade Biology
Inheritance Topic
What is Variation?

2. Inheritance By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
Describe what variation is.
Give examples of 2 types of variation
in your class
Know how to present data to show
the 2 types of variation

3. What is variation?
There are many differences between the pupils in your class.
List the ones that you can SEE.

4. What is variation?
Collect a “Variation Data for our class” sheet to record your data.
Working in pairs record the following information for each of you:
Middle finger length in cm
Tongue roller
Ear lobes
Hand clasp
Height in cm
Eye colour

5. Discontinuous variation
Some of your data falls into one or more clear cut groups.
Which ones?
This variation is called DISCONTINUOUS variation.
Write 3 examples into your jotter.

6. Discontinuous variation
We use a bar chart to show discontinuous variation.
Draw a bar chart
to show either
tongue rollers or
eye colour.

7. Continuous variation? Some of your data had to be measured.
Which ones?
This variation is called CONTINUOUS variation.
Write 3 examples into your jotter.

8. Continuous variation We use a histogram to show continuous variation.
Draw a histogram
to show either
height or
finger length.

9. What is Variation? of the same show many These differences are called
individuals
of the same
show many These differences are called
species
differences
variations
species
differences
individuals
variations

10. Types of variation?
Draw a table dividing the following list into continuous and discontinuous variations:
Blood groups ear lobes
Height body mass
Pulse rate eye colour
Gender shoe size
Tongue rolling hand span

11. Types of variation? Complete the “Variation Flow Chart” Use the
following word
bank.
Measured
Wide range
Discontinuous
Observed
Clear cut
Continuous

12. Inheritance By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
Describe what variation is.
Give examples of 2 types of variation
in your class
Know how to present data to show
the 2 types of variation