How can plants cause weathering? (1 point)
Responses
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Plants attract animals, and animals can burrow into rocks.
The correct answer is: Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Explanation: When plants grow, their roots can extend into cracks and crevices in rocks. As the roots continue to grow, they exert pressure on the rocks, causing them to crack and break apart. This is known as biological weathering, where the actions of living organisms, in this case plants, contribute to the breakdown of rocks. So, the growth of roots and sprouting of seeds by plants can physically break rocks, leading to weathering.