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Inheritance and Evolution
Quick questions on Sources of genetic variation: H2 Biology Inheritance and Evolution
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is mutation?Show answer
A mutation is a change in the base sequence of DNA. It is the only process that creates genuinely new alleles, so it is the ultimate source of genetic variation. Mutations are random and usually rare, but they supply the raw material that the other processes then shuffle.
What is meiosis?Show answer
Meiosis generates variation by recombining existing alleles.
What is random fertilisation?Show answer
Random fertilisation combines two genetically varied gametes from different individuals. Because any of a huge number of different sperm can fertilise any of many different eggs, the offspring show enormous variation.
What is q1?Show answer
State which source of variation can create entirely new alleles. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how independent assortment during meiosis contributes to genetic variation. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why environmental variation does not contribute to evolution by natural selection. [1 mark]
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