Traits: inherited and environmental

Question 1

A scientist plants two groups of the same type of bean seeds. Group A is watered every day, and Group B is watered only once a week. After three weeks, the beans in Group A are much taller than those in Group B. Which explanation best uses evidence to show how the environment can influence a trait?

Accepted Answer

The beans that receive more water grow taller, showing that the amount of water (an environmental factor) can affect plant height.

Answer

Beans become taller only because they get older, regardless of how much water they receive.

Answer

All beans of the same type will grow to the same height, so the difference must be due to a mistake in measuring.

Answer

The soil in both groups is the same, so the height difference is caused by the beans' seeds being different.

Question 2

A scientist grows two identical bean plants. One plant is kept on a sunny windowsill and receives plenty of water. The other plant is kept in a dark closet and receives only a little water. After two weeks, the plant on the windowsill is 12 cm tall and the plant in the closet is 5 cm tall. Which observation best supports the idea that a plant’s height can be influenced by its environment?

Accepted Answer

The plant that received plenty of water and sunlight grew taller than the plant that received little water and no sunlight.

Answer

The plant in the dark closet grew slower because it was a different species.

Answer

The plant on the windowsill has green leaves, while the plant in the closet has yellow leaves.

Answer

Both plants were the same type of bean seed.

Question 3

A researcher grows two groups of identical bean plants in a greenhouse. Both groups have the same seed variety. Group 1 receives plenty of water and sunlight each day, while Group 2 receives only half as much water and is kept in a shaded area. After several weeks, the plants in Group 1 are noticeably taller than those in Group 2. Which explanation best accounts for the observed difference in growth?

Accepted Answer

Both groups have the same genes, so the difference in growth is due to the more favorable environmental conditions (adequate water and sunlight) for the first group.

Answer

The first group grew more because the pots used for those plants were larger, giving the roots more space.

Answer

The first group grew more because the scientist added fertilizer to the soil, providing extra nutrients.

Answer

The first group grew more because its plants have a different genetic makeup that makes them grow faster.

Try three questions

A scientist plants two groups of the same type of bean seeds. Group A is watered every day, and Group B is watered only once a week. After three weeks, the beans in Group A are much taller than those in Group B. Which explanation best uses evidence to show how the environment can influence a trait?

Keep going on this shelf