Differences in characteristics that exist among individuals of the same species is referred to as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species.

Step 2: Explain the concept Even within one species, individuals are not identical. For example, humans differ in height, skin colour, blood group and fingerprints. Likewise, maize plants from the same farm can differ in height and cob size. These differences are called variation. They arise from genetic differences (e.g., mutation, recombination during meiosis, and fertilisation) and from environmental influences.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Genetics: This is the study of heredity and variation, not the differences themselves. ✗
• B. Dominance: This describes an allele that expresses itself over a recessive allele in a heterozygote. ✗
• C. Hybrid: This is an offspring from a cross between genetically different parents (often different varieties or species). ✗
• D. Variation: This is the differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species. ✓

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. variation.

Exam tip: Remember that genetics is the study, while variation is the observed differences. Variation can be:

• Continuous (e.g., height, mass), showing a range of values.
• Discontinuous (e.g., blood groups, tongue rolling), showing distinct categories.