What is the Difference Between Continuous and Discontinuous Variation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between continuous and discontinuous variation lies in the distribution and range of the different types of variations within a species.
Continuous variation is characterized by:
- A range of small differences in traits, such as height, weight, or heart rate.
- A continuous distribution of variations without any limits on the values that can occur.
- A predictable direction in the variation.
- Examples of continuous variation include height and weight in humans.
Discontinuous variation, on the other hand, is characterized by:
- Distinct categories or groups for organisms to belong to.
- Unpredictable direction of the variation.
- A cooperating factor in the process of evolution.
- Examples of discontinuous variation include eye color and blood type.
In summary, continuous variation involves a continuous distribution of traits with small differences, while discontinuous variation involves distinct categories or groups of traits. The direction of continuous variation is predictable, whereas the direction of discontinuous variation is unpredictable.
Comparative Table: Continuous vs Discontinuous Variation
Continuous and discontinuous variation are two types of genetic variation seen among individuals within a species. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:
| Feature | Continuous Variation | Discontinuous Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Continuous variation refers to the type of genetic variation that shows an unbroken range of phenotypes of a particular character in the population. | Discontinuous variation refers to the type of genetic variation that shows two or more separate forms of a character in the population. |
| Range | Phenotypes have a continuous range, making them difficult to classify into specific categories. | Phenotypes have a discontinuous range, making them easy to categorize. |
| Examples | Examples include height, weight, heart rate, and coat color in animals. | Examples include blood groups, gender, and flower color. |
| Direction | Continuous variation has a predictable direction. | The direction of discontinuous variation is unpredictable. |
| Presentation | Continuous variation can be presented in the form of a table or graph, lacking categories and having a range of values. | Discontinuous variation can be represented using only a bar graph, without an average or mean. |
Both continuous and discontinuous variations occur due to differences in DNA in different genomes caused by mutations and genetic recombination.
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- Continuous vs Continual
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- Continuous vs Discrete Spectrum
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