Key points

 Variation is the differences between individuals of the same species, caused by genetic and
environmental factors.
 Surveys into variation give data that are continuous, which means to come in a range, or
discontinuous, which means to come in groups.

Variation

Variation is all the differences that exist in a population of the same species. These differences are caused by:

 Genetic variation - these are differences between individuals that are inherited from parents,
such as the colour of your eyes, hair and skin.
 Environmental variation - these are differences between individuals that are not inherited
but caused by the environment that the organism lives in, including scars and tattoos.
 Genetic and environmental variation - differences between individuals that are caused
by both genetic and environmental factors, such as height and weight.

Data on variation is collected by surveying the population. This data can be described as either continuous
variation or discontinuous variation. It is important to remember that these are not the causes of variation, which
are described above, but how we analyse the results of the surveys.

Continuous variation

Surveys of continuous variation give us results that come in a range. Human height is an example of continuous
variation. It ranges from that of the shortest person in the world to that of the tallest person. Any height is
possible between these values, so this is continuous variation. For example, you can be 150 cm tall, 151 cm tall,
or any height in between this - if you had a ruler that could measure small enough values.

So, a characteristic that changes gradually over a range of values shows continuous variation. Examples of such
characteristics are:

 height
 arm span
 weight

Results from surveys of continuous variation are presented in line graphs or bar charts with a line of best
fit drawn through them. If you record the heights of a group of people and draw a graph of your results, it
usually looks something like this:

Figure caption,

A bar chart to represent variation in height

Discontinuous variation

Surveys of discontinuous variation give us values that come in groups rather than a range. Human blood groups
are an example of discontinuous variation. In the ABO blood group system, only four blood groups are possible
- A, B, AB or O. You cannot have a blood group in between these four groups, so this is discontinuous
variation.

Here are some examples:

 blood group
 eye colour

Results from surveys of discontinuous variation are presented in charts. These is no line of best fit drawn
because the values on the x-axis - blood groups in the graph below - could be placed in any order. If you record
the blood groups of a group of people and draw a graph of your results, it usually looks something like this:

Figure caption,

A bar chart to represent the frequency of each blood group in the population

More examples

Continuous variation Discontinuous variation

Height Blood group

Weight Hand used to write with

Arm span Eye colour

Head circumference at birth Ability to roll tongue

 Scientists look at DNA (the instructions inside our bodies) to find what makes people
different, like eye color or diseases.
 They compare genes from many people to see patterns.

2. Looking at Physical Features/Traits

 We can measure things like height, skin color, or the shape of our faces to see how people
vary.
 Studying old bones and fossils helps us learn about how humans have changed over time.

3. Learning About Cultures

 By observing how people live, speak, and behave, we can understand differences in
traditions and lifestyles.
 This helps us see how our environment and history shape who we are.

4. Checking Body Chemistry

 Scientists study blood types, how our bodies handle food, or how we adapt to places like
mountains (with less oxygen).
 This shows how humans adjust to different environments.

5. Studying Health

 By looking at diseases and health in different groups, we learn why some people are more
likely to get certain illnesses.
 It helps doctors create better treatments.

In short, we study human variation by looking at our genes, bodies, cultures, and health to
understand what makes each person unique!