Variation & Evolution

4ºESO
CONTINUOUS VARIATION
Quantitative
Range
Several genes + environmental factors
DISONTINUOUS VARIATION
Qualitative
No range = yes or no
Not affected by environmental factors
VARIATION

HOMEWORK:
Read pages 228 and 229,
do activity 1
 CAUSES OF VARIATION

Mutations:

Changes in a gene or chromosome

caused by:

- Mistakes in the replication of DNA (before cell division).

- Mistakes in the cell division process (non disjunction).
- Environmental factors that can damage DNA.
º 12
Mutations can be beneficial or
harmful…

It depends if they make

survival easier or more
difficult.
Mutations can be beneficial or
harmful…

It depends if they make

reproduction easier or more
difficult.
Mutations can be beneficial or
harmful…

It depends if they help the

individual
to adapt to the environment
or difficult it.
The case of sickle cell anemia and Malaria.
 MUTAGENS

Environmental factors that cause damage in

DNA,
like
Radiation
(X-ray)
or
Chemicals
(tobacco)
What is a carcinogen?

A mutagen that causes

uncontrolled cell division =
cancer
CAUSES OF VARIATION
Sexual reproduction is another cause of variation,
like mutations, mixing up the genetic material in 3
ways:

Crossing over during meiosis

Independent asssortment
Fertilisation
HOMEWORK: Read pages 230, 231 and do activity 3
EVOLUTION
Changes in the heritable
characteristics of the organisms
over successive generations due
to natural selection.
NATURAL SELECTION
The greater chance of passing
on genes by the best adapted
organisms.

It makes evolution possible.

If the floor in the future is made of lava and I have wings:
I can survive 🡪 so I can reproduce 🡪
because I am adapted o the new environment, so my
genes will pass to the next generation!
HOMEWORK:

Page 223 activity 2 (ANSWER in the Notebook)

Watch the videos of he Eclass and do the assignment:

“Mistakes in the video” (ANSWER in the ECLASS)

Read page 234 and write in your notebook what is

selection pressure.