B1 Topic 1 - continuous and discontinuous variation: Edexcell GCSE Science -> Higher -> Core Science -> B1 -> Topic 1 -> continuous and discontinuous variation 4th in the B1 Topic 1 series - Contains everything you need to know from the specification* - Specially designed for triple and dual science GCSE - A good teaching tool - A good revision tool - Compliments the CGP revision books *From Edexcell GCSE Science from 2011 specification, suitable for 2014 & 2015 exams Contains detailed notes and questions that may come up in the exams. Please comment with your views or any questions that you have

1. B1TOPIC 1 -VARIATION
Continuous And DiscontinuousVariation
CVHS GCSE POWERPOINT SHARE

2. ContinuousVariation
Continuous variation is when individuals within a
population vary within a range.
There are no distinct categories.
Examples
• Animal mass
• Width of bacteria
• Amount of plant leaves

3. ContinuousVariation Graphs
Mean
Normal
distribution curve

4. ContinuousVariation Graphs
Mean
Normal
distribution curve

5. DiscontinuousVariation
Discontinuous variation is when individuals characteristics
within a population fit into two or more distinct
categories.
There are no intermediate categories.
Examples
• Blood group in humans
• Bacteria’s anti-biotic resistance
• how vertebrates respire
• Colour of a courgette

6. DiscontinuousVariation Graphs
Mode

7. DiscontinuousVariation Graphs
Mode

8. Practicals
Look at the image and think of a practical, and what it
shows...

9. Practicals
Record the eye colour
There will be distinct
categories such as blue,
green etc.
This shows discontinuous
variationYou would plot the
information, and make a bar
graph, such as the on to the
right.

10. Practicals
Look at the image and think of a practical, and what it
shows...

11. Practicals
Record the hand span
There will be lots of
different results, nearly all
different
This shows continuous
variationYou would plot the
information, and make a
graph with a normal
distribution curve, such as
the on to the right.

12. Questions
Compare continuous and discontinuous variation (4)
Give two examples of discontinuous variation (2)
Design a practical for a classroom to show continuous
variation (3)