A student investigated the effects of root space on plant growth. The student group 2 groups of plants of the same variety. Both groups receive the same amount of water and sunlight, and grew in the same type of soil. The plants in Group A were grown in cube shaped containers that were 3 cm deep. The plant in Group B were grown in cube shape containers that work 10 cm deep. The table shows the students observation.
What was the effect of route space on plank Road based on the students 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.
Based on the data from the table, it can be observed that the plants in Group B, which were grown in containers with 10 cm deep root space, had a higher average plant height, number of leaves, and root mass compared to the plants in Group A, which were grown in containers with only 3 cm deep root space. This indicates that an increase in root space had a positive effect on plant growth.
To determine whether this effect was likely due to environmental or genetic factors, we would need to consider certain factors. If the plants in both groups were genetically identical and only the root space was different, then it is reasonable to conclude that the effect on plant growth was primarily due to the environmental factor of root space. However, if the plants in both groups were not genetically identical, it becomes difficult to solely attribute the effect to root space. Genetic factors, such as variations in the plants' growth potential or response to environmental factors, could also contribute to the observed differences in plant growth.
To confirm the role of environmental factors, the experiment could be repeated with genetically identical plants. Group A could be grown in containers with 3 cm deep root space, while Group B could be grown in containers with 10 cm deep root space again. If the same trends in plant growth are observed, it would further support the conclusion that root space is a significant environmental factor affecting plant growth.