Question

Reproductive process gives rise to new individuals that are similar but with some variations. Thus, the similarities between parents and their offsprings are due to heredity and the dissimilarities are due to 'variation' . Continuity of life is maintained through heredity and evolution.

(i) What do you mean by variation ?

(ii) Why is variation beneficial for the species, but not necessary for the individual ?

Answer 1

(i) Variation refers to the difference in the characters or traits among the individuals of a species.

(ii) Variation enables the organisms to adapt themselves in changing the environment. It form the basis of heredity. They form raw materials for evolution and development of new species.