variation

var·i·a·tion

(var'ē-ā'shŭn),

1. Deviation from type, especially the parent type, in structure, form, physiology, or behavior.

2. Synonym(s): type (3)

[L. variatio, fr. vario, to change, vary]

variation

/var·i·a·tion/ (var″e-a´shun) the act or process of changing; in genetics, deviation in characters in an individual from the group to which it belongs or deviation in characters of the offspring from those of its parents.

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antigenic variation  a mechanism by which parasites can escape the immune surveillance of a host by modifying or completely altering their surface antigens.

microbial variation  the range of characteristics with a species used in identification and differentiation.

phenotypic variation  the total variation, for whatever cause, observed in one character.

variation

(vâr′ē-ā′shən, văr′-)

n.

1.

a. The act, fact, or process of varying.

b. The extent or degree to which something varies: a variation of ten pounds in weight.

2. Biology The existence within a species or other group of organisms of differences in form, function, or behavior, especially when hereditary.

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var′i·a′tion·al adj.

var·i·a·tion

(var'ē-ā'shŭn)

Deviation from the type, especially the parent type, in structure, form, physiology, or behavior.

[L. variatio, fr. vario, to change, vary]

variation

1. ecophenotypic variation (see ECOPHENOTYPE caused by local factors, as opposed to genetic factors, in an organism.
2. any differences (both genotypic and phenotypic) between individuals in a population or between parents and their offspring. see GENETIC VARIABILITY.

variation (genetic),

n deviation from the genotype in structure, form, physiology, or behavior.

variation

divergence among individual animals of a group. The differences in the morphology or function of an organ or organism, are small enough to stay within the variability of the type organism or organ.