#continuous variation

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

The Scientific Research Notes of S. Sunkavally, Printed Part, page. 107.

Dates unclear, but certainly between 2006-2012.

[test-tings-blog]

EVOLUTION: describe the differences between continuous and discontinuous variation

Continuous variation is where there are two extremes and a full range of values in the middle. Most individuals are close to the mean, but there is a minority at each extreme. Characteristic is coded for by multiple genes and environment has a large effect on it

Height in humans

Length of leaves on a tree

Length of stalk of a toadstool

Discontinuous variation is where there are distinct categories and no intermediate values. There may be an equal spread between the categories, or there might be more of one type than another. Characteristic coded for by one gene which the environment has no effect on

Sex

Male or female in mammals, male, female or hermaphrodite in plants

Human blood groups A, B, AB or O

Some bacteria have flagella, others do not