Science Ecosystems & Habitatsusually ages 12–13

Variation in Species

Explain variation within and between species, distinguishing between continuous variation (e.g. height) and discontinuous variation (e.g. blood group), and between genetic and environmental causes

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Gives examples of continuous and discontinuous variation in humans
Distinguishes between genetic causes of variation (inherited differences) and environmental causes (diet, sunlight, etc.)
Explains why sexual reproduction produces greater variation than asexual reproduction
Draws or interprets a frequency graph showing continuous variation

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Try this together

If your child looked around a classroom and noticed that everyone has slightly different heights, hair colours, and eye colours, could they explain why these differences exist — and which ones are inherited, which are down to the environment, and which are both?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Chromosomes, Genes & DNAages 12–13Explaining genetic vs environmental causes of variation requires first knowing what genes and chromosomes are

Grouping Living Thingsages 8–9KS3 variation within species builds on KS2 recognition that living things can be grouped by observable features

Variation in Speciesthis skill · ages 12–13

Unlocks

How Natural Selection Worksages 12–14Natural selection requires heritable variation to act on — understanding the nature of variation is a prerequisite

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Biodiversity & Resilienceages 12–14 Chromosomes, Genes & DNAages 12–13 Evidence for Evolutionages 12–14 Extinction & Rapid Changeages 12–14

All Ecosystems & Habitats skills →