Question

Question

A scientist is investigating how matter flows into and out of a plant. In one experiment, the scientist places a potted plant by a sunny window. The scientist plans to water the plant every day for two months.

Which additional three steps would be most useful for the scientist to follow in the experiment?

Select the three correct answers.

Responses

Observe the temperature outside each day.
Observe the temperature outside each day.

Measure the mass of the plant and pot, both before and after the experiment.
Measure the mass of the plant and pot, both before and after the experiment.

Measure the mass of the soil alone, both before and after the experiment.
Measure the mass of the soil alone, both before and after the experiment.

Measure the temperature of the soil every day.
Measure the temperature of the soil every day.

Measure the mass of water added to the pot each day.
Measure the mass of water added to the pot each day.

Answer 1

To investigate how matter flows into and out of a plant, the following three steps would be most useful for the scientist to follow in the experiment:

1. Measure the mass of the plant and pot, both before and after the experiment. - This allows the scientist to track any changes in the plant's mass, which can indicate growth and the uptake of materials like water and nutrients.

2. Measure the mass of the soil alone, both before and after the experiment. - This helps determine whether any of the soil's mass changes due to the processes of decomposition or nutrient uptake by the plant.

3. Measure the mass of water added to the pot each day. - Tracking the amount of water provided to the plant will help quantify how much water the plant is receiving and allow for an analysis of water usage and transpiration.

These steps help give a comprehensive understanding of the matter flow related to the plant's growth and the relationship between water, soil, and plant mass.