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Continuous and Discontinuous Variation

Variation can be continuous or discontinuous. In continuous variation there is a range of infinite possibilities between two extremes. In discontinuous variation the individual must possess one of a set of discrete characteristics.Continuous variation e.g. height or weight, tends to occur as a result of many genes (polygenic) and the environment. Discontinuous variation tends to occur as a result of changes in only one gene (monogenic) e.g. ABO blood group.

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Specification: OCR Biology A (H420), A-level, 6.1.2 Patterns of inheritance. Topic: Genetics and Variation.

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