A student hypothesizes that thick leg muscles are an inherited trait in dogs. The student collects data on several dogs, and the data show that dogs that live outdoors have thicker leg muscles than dogs that live indoors. What should the student conclude?

Question

f Inheritance of thick leg muscles may be associated
with coat thickness in dogs.
g Inheritance alone may not account for thick leg
muscles in dogs.
h Dogs with thick leg muscles may require
more exercise than dogs with thin leg muscles.
j Dogs that inherit thick leg muscles may not
survive indoors.

Answer 1

The most accurate conclusion based on the student's observations is:

g. Inheritance alone may not account for thick leg muscles in dogs.

This conclusion acknowledges that the environment (living outdoors vs. indoors) plays a significant role in the observed trait (thick leg muscles). It suggests that while there may be a genetic component, environmental factors also contribute to the development of thick leg muscles in dogs.