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