Genetic vs Environmental Factors

Students planted several radish plants (Raphanus sativus) in their school garden. Students were allowed to take some of the plants home. One student observed that the plants grown at home were taller and had more leaves. She proposed the idea that genetic differences were responsible for the differences between the plants grown at school and the plants grown at home. Which of the following is the best argument against this idea?

• Genetic factors cannot influence plant height or leaf growth.

• Environmental factors are usually stronger than genetic factors.

• The genetic materials of all the plants would be the same.

• Changing environments can alter a plant's genetic material.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Some plants, like coleus, will wilt completely when water is limited. However, the aloe plant does not typically wilt under the same conditions where water is limited. Which statement best explains the differences in these two plant types?

• Water availability is a genetic factor that causes the leaves of the plants to move differently in the two plant types. 

• Water availability is an environmental factor that affects coleus plants only since aloe plants do not require water.

• Water availability changes the genetics of the plants, causing them to react differently to the water conditions.

• Water availability is an environmental factor that affects plants, but there are genetic factors that affect how plants deal with the water loss.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which explanation is best supported by the data shown?

• Environmental factors are the only influence on plant growth.

• Environmental factors have no influence on plant growth.

• 
  Environmental factors influence plant growth, but the maximum height is limited by genetic factors.

• Genetic factors are the only influence on plant growth.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

If a trait is shared by identical twins, it is mostly caused by ___________.

• environment

• spending too much time together

• sharing toys

• genetics

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Seeds from several DIFFERENT plants are planted under IDENTICAL conditions and found to grow at different rates. What factor is this due to?

• Genetic Factors

• Environmental Factors

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which of the following would provide the best evidence that genetic factors influence the growth of plants?

• Seeds from several different plants are planted under identical conditions and found to grow at similar rates.

• Several seeds from one single parent plant are planted under a variety of conditions and found to grow at similar rates.

• Several seeds from one single parent plant are planted under a variety of conditions and found to grow at different rates.

• Seeds from several different plans are planted under identical conditions and found to grow at different rates.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What can you infer about incubation temperature and the gender of the hatchlings?

• 24.5 degrees produces more males than females

• 26.5 degrees produces more males than females

• The incubation temperature doesn't affect the gender.

• 24.5 degrees produces more hatchlings

Which of the following best describes the role of genetic factors in determining an individual's height?

• Genetic factors have no influence on height.

• Genetic factors solely determine height.

• Genetic factors contribute to height along with environmental factors.

• Genetic factors are less important than environmental factors in determining height.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In an experiment, identical twins raised in different environments show different levels of intelligence. What does this suggest?

• Intelligence is solely determined by genetic factors.

• Environmental factors have no impact on intelligence.

• Both genetic and environmental factors influence intelligence.

• Intelligence is solely determined by environmental factors.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A scientist is studying the effect of sunlight on plant growth. She plants genetically identical seeds in different light conditions. What is she primarily testing?

• The genetic factors affecting plant growth.

• The environmental factors affecting plant growth.

• The interaction between genetic and environmental factors.

• The mutation rate of plants under different light conditions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1