Genetic Variation

Terminology description

Genetics transmits hereditary informations from one generation to the next generation. The character of an organism is viewed as an evolutionary process. It is the tendency to undergo some changes at the time of genetic transformation, irrespective of the type of the organism. The allele where the genes are located, change among the population is referred as genetic variations. Generally alleles are situated in chromosomes. It plays a vital role in case of natural selection when population interacts with the environment. It may be influenced by varieties of features like environment or by misinterpretation or chance where natural selection has no role to play. Population adapt themselves to genetic variations. Its occurrence is prevalent when DNA gets mutated and genes transfer from one population to another population or at some point, in sexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction cycle, genetic recombination and independent assortment of alleles that make recombination of different individuals are feasible. At times, genetic variation helps in removal of mismatched gene recombination among the population. There are two types of genetic variations, namely, continuous variation and discontinuous variation.

Instance for variation types

Continuous variation:  Height and weight of an individual depends on the age and sex.

Discontinuous variation: Blood group and tongue rolling capacity are discrete type.

Causes of genetic variation

When the genetic informations are transferred from one generation to another, it is likely to cause genetic variations. It happens during sexual reproduction stage. For instance, ear lobes development and shape of chin are of inherited genetic variation. The genes that are controlled completely and genetically result in variation. Other causative agents of genetic variation are acquired agents like environmental factors. For instance, scars, multilingual capability and bicycle riding are acquired genetic variation. Mutations like gene and chromosome led to genetic variation. Change in number of chromosomes is chromosomal variation and a change in gene is gene mutation. Genetic drift is mutational change that occurs by chance from one generation to another generation. When an organism migrates to new habitat, then it modifies its gene expression to sustain prevailing environmental conditions. Random fertilization can cause genetic variation. Crossing over where DNA strands get exchange between two sister chromatids during prophase I of meiosis cell stage.