Chen notices his tomato plant grows after watering; leaves also take in CO2—how does matter enter the plant?
- absorbs water and minerals with roots and takes in CO2 with leaves (correct answer)
- gets matter from sunlight and turns it into tomatoes
- gets food from soil through roots to grow fruit
- releases water into soil through roots to build stems
Explanation: This question tests students' understanding of how matter moves from the environment into plants, specifically through photosynthesis and absorption processes (NGSS 5-LS2-1). Plants obtain matter from two main sources: water and minerals absorbed through roots from soil, and carbon dioxide absorbed through small openings called stomata in leaves. During photosynthesis, plants use this matter (along with energy from sunlight) to create glucose and other compounds that build plant structures. Choice A is correct because it accurately identifies both sources of matter (soil and atmosphere) and the structures through which matter enters (roots for water/minerals, leaves for carbon dioxide). Choice C represents the common misconception that plants get 'food' from soil. This error occurs because students often think soil contains ready-made food for plants, similar to how animals eat prepared food, not understanding that plants make their own food from raw materials. To help students: Emphasize that fertilizer provides raw materials (minerals), not food - plants must still make their own food through photosynthesis. Use the analogy of ingredients versus a finished meal. Watch for: students who think adding fertilizer is 'feeding' plants, or who don't understand the difference between raw materials and finished products.