Types of Variation
What is discontinuous variation?
Variation with distinct categories and no in-between values
What are the three fur colors found in the rabbit population?
White, brown, and black
What are traits passed from parents to offspring called?
Inherited traits
What is a population?
A group of the same species living in one area
Define variation.
Differences among individuals in a population
What is continuous variation?
Variation with a wide range of values
Which fur color is the least common in the population?
Black
What carries genetic information for traits?
Genes
What can scientists learn by observing patterns in populations?
How traits change over time
Define trait.
A characteristic of an organism
Which type of variation includes traits with clear categories?
Discontinuous variation
What causes differences in rabbit fur color?
Genetics/inherited traits
What is the study of heredity called?
Genetics
Why might one fur color become more common over time?
It may help rabbits survive better
What does inherited mean?
Passed from parents to offspring
Is rabbit fur color an example of continuous or discontinuous variation?
Discontinuous variation
Are fur colors inherited or learned traits?
Inherited traits
True or False: Offspring always look exactly like their parents.
False
What is variation within a population important for?
Survival and adaptation
What is a characteristic?
A feature or quality of an organism
Name one human trait that shows continuous variation
Height (or weight)
Why might scientists study rabbit fur color patterns over time?
To understand variation and population changes
Why can rabbits in the same population look different from each other?
They inherit different genes
How can environmental changes affect populations?
They can change which traits are more common
What is the difference between a population and an individual organism?
A population is a group; an individual is one organism