Question

a student investigated the effect of root space on plant growth. the student grew two groups of plants of the same variety. both groups received the same amount of water and sunlight and grew in the same type of soil. the plants group a were grown in cube-shaped containers that were 3 centimeters deep. the plants in group b were grown in cube-shaped containers that were 10 centimeters deep. the table shows the student's observations. what was the effect of root space on plant growth based on the student's investigation? use the data from the table to support your answer. explain how you would know whether this effect was likely due to environmental or genetic factors. write it as a 6th grader in short

Answer 1

Answer: The plants with more root space (Group B, 10 cm deep) grew bigger than the plants with less root space (Group A, 3 cm deep). The table shows Group B plants were taller and had more leaves than Group A, so greater root space made the plants grow more.

How to tell if it was environmental or genetic: Because both groups were the same variety and had the same water, light, and soil, the difference is most likely environmental (caused by the root space). To check for sure, you could repeat the test with more plants and with different varieties. If all varieties grow bigger in deeper containers, the cause is environmental. If some varieties do not change, then genetics also matter.