Importance of Variation

Reproduction involves the replication of DNA. If the replication is exact, the body design and features of the organism are maintained across generations. Thus reproduction provides stability to the populations of a species.

But reproduction also provides variation. Variation refers to the differences found in the morphological and physiological feature of an organism.

Variation results in evolution. Variation is important for the survival of a species over a period of time, but it may bring advantages and/or disadvantages to the organisms in which it occurs.

All organisms are exposed to certain environmental conditions. They adapt to cope with even slight changes in the environment.

Any drastic change in the environment, like extreme temperature change, varying water level, an earthquake or a meteorite hit, may take a heavy toll on organisms that are unable to cope with its effects.

There are chances of changes in DNA copying resulting in the production of such organisms which are suited in the changed niches or changed environment.

lf a population of reproducing organisms achieves such inheritable changes which help them to survive under changed niches then the organisms have chances to survive.

In case, if the organism has not changed and the environment has altered drastically then the organism is surely going to be wiped out.

For example, a population of bacteria is growing in temperate water and has developed an environmental harmony. Suppose the temperature of water is somehow increased due to global warming then the bacteria will definitely die. However, only those will survive which have developed resistance to heat. Variations are thus useful for the survival of species over time.

Variation gives some individuals in a population the ability to cope with changes that others cannot withstand.

Suppose, there is a sudden drop in environmental temperature. As a result, some organisms will die due to severe cold. But some of them that have developed the ability to cope with extreme cold will survive and reproduce. This ability comes from variation caused by changes in the DNA.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Removal of stamens in an inter-sexual flower before they dehisce is called _____________________
A. Protogyny	B. Mass selection	C. Mixed selection	D. Emasculation
Right Option : D
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Question : 2

Which of the following are correct ? (a) Variation refers to the differences found in the morphological and physiological feature of an organism. (b) Variation results in evolution. Variation is important for the survival of a species over a period of time.
A. Only (a) is correct .	B. Only (b) is correct .	C. Both (a) and (b) is correct .	D. All of these .
Right Option : C
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Question : 3

Which of the following are correct ? (a) Reproduction involves the replication of DNA. If the replication is exact, the body design and features of the organism are maintained across generations. (b) All organisms are exposed to certain environmental conditions and they adapt to cope with even slight changes in the environment.
A. Only (a) is correct .	B. Only (b) is correct .	C. Both (a) and (b) is correct .	D. None of these .
Right Option : C
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