What is variation?
Without genetic variation, some of the basic mechanisms of evolutionary change cannot operate. All species show differences between individuals. The differences between members of a species are called variation. Variation between people is partly the result of environmental factors, due to being exposed to such things throughout your lifetime. Some of these will change your appearance.
There are three types of influential genetic variation, which include:
- Mutations: are changes in the DNA. A single mutation can have a large effect, but in many cases, evolutionary change is based on the accumulation of many mutations.
- Gene flow: is any movement of genes from one population to another and is an important source of genetic variation.
- Sex: can introduce new gene combinations into a population. This genetic shuffling is another important source of genetic variation.
There are three types of influential genetic variation, which include:
- Mutations: are changes in the DNA. A single mutation can have a large effect, but in many cases, evolutionary change is based on the accumulation of many mutations.
- Gene flow: is any movement of genes from one population to another and is an important source of genetic variation.
- Sex: can introduce new gene combinations into a population. This genetic shuffling is another important source of genetic variation.