A student investigated the effect of root space on plant growth. The student grew two groups of plants of the same variety. Both groups received 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 centimeters deep. The plants in Group B were grown in cube-shaped containers that were 10 centimeters deep. The table shows the student's observations Week Plant Group A (Average Height, cm) Plant Group B (Average Height, cm) 1 2 3 2 3 6 3 5 8 4 7 10 5 8 14 6 10 18 What was the effect of root space on plant growth based on the student's investigation?%C2%A0 Use the data from the table to support your answer.%C2%A0 Explain how you would know whether this effect was likely due to environmental or genetic factors
Based on the data provided in the table, it can be observed that the plants in Group B, which were grown in containers with deeper root space of 10 centimeters, showed a greater average height compared to Group A, which were grown in containers with a root space of only 3 centimeters.
In Week 1, both groups had similar heights. However, as the weeks progressed, the plants in Group B consistently outperformed the plants in Group A. By Week 6, the average height of plants in Group A was 10 cm, while the average height of plants in Group B was 18 cm.
This indicates that root space had a significant effect on plant growth. The plants with larger root space in Group B were able to grow taller and had a stronger overall growth compared to the plants in Group A.
To determine whether this effect was likely due to environmental or genetic factors, further analysis and experimentation would be required. The student could consider conducting a control group where plants in both groups are grown in containers with the same root space of 3 centimeters and compare the results. If the plants in the control group show similar growth to Group A, it would suggest that the difference in growth between Group A and Group B was primarily due to environmental factors, such as the availability of nutrients and water. On the other hand, if the control group shows similar growth to Group B, it would indicate that the difference in growth was likely due to genetic factors, indicating that plants with more root space have inherent genetic traits that promote better growth.