All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What does the term genotype mean in the context of an organism's growth traits?
Answer: An organism's genetic makeup (allele combination) for traits. Genotype is the genetic code, while phenotype is what we see.
Flashcard 2: What does the term phenotype mean when describing growth-related traits?
Answer: The observable traits produced by genes and environment. What you see results from both genetic instructions and surroundings.
Flashcard 3: What is the best definition of environmental factors that affect growth?
Answer: Non-genetic conditions that influence development and size. External factors like food, temperature, and light affect growth.
Flashcard 4: What is meant by gene–environment interaction in growth and development?
Answer: Environment changes how genes are expressed in traits. Same genes can produce different outcomes in different conditions.
Flashcard 5: Which statement best distinguishes inherited traits from acquired characteristics?
Answer: Inherited traits come from DNA; acquired traits come from environment. DNA passes from parents; environment shapes after birth.
Flashcard 6: What is the role of nutrients as environmental factors in growth?
Answer: They provide materials and energy needed for building tissues. Without proper nutrition, organisms cannot grow to full potential.
Flashcard 7: What is the role of hormones in regulating growth in multicellular organisms?
Answer: They act as chemical signals that control growth rate and timing. Growth hormone and others coordinate when and how fast to grow.
Flashcard 8: What is a limiting factor, and how can it affect an organism's growth?
Answer: A resource in shortest supply that restricts growth. Like plants needing water—without enough, growth stops.
Flashcard 9: What is an example of evidence that supports environmental effects on growth in humans?
Answer: Improved childhood nutrition is linked to increased average height. Better food access correlates with taller populations over time.
Flashcard 10: What is an example of evidence that supports genetic effects on growth in humans?
Answer: Biological relatives often have more similar heights than nonrelatives. Family members share genes that influence growth patterns.
Flashcard 11: Identify the best conclusion: identical twins raised together have very similar heights.
Answer: Genetics strongly influences height when environment is similar. Same genes and same environment produce similar outcomes.
Flashcard 12: Identify the best conclusion: identical twins raised in different homes differ in height.
Answer: Environment can change growth even with identical genes. Same genes but different conditions lead to different results.
Flashcard 13: Choose the best claim: two plants share the same genotype but grow to different sizes.
Answer: Different environments caused different phenotypes. Same genes can yield different sizes under different conditions.
Flashcard 14: Choose the best claim: two plants in the same soil and light grow differently by variety.
Answer: Genetic differences caused different growth. Different varieties have different genetic growth instructions.
Flashcard 15: Identify the independent variable: a lab changes only light intensity to test plant growth.
Answer: Light intensity. The factor being manipulated to test its effect.
Flashcard 16: Identify the dependent variable: a lab changes only light intensity to test plant growth.
Answer: Plant growth (for example, height or biomass). The measured outcome that responds to the changed variable.
Flashcard 17: What is the best evidence-based explanation if drought reduces a plant's height?
Answer: Water limitation lowered growth despite the plant's genes. Lack of water prevented the plant from reaching genetic potential.
Flashcard 18: What is the best evidence-based explanation if protein deficiency slows teen growth?
Answer: Insufficient nutrients limited growth even with normal genes. Poor diet prevented reaching genetically programmed height.
Flashcard 19: Which statement best summarizes how genetics and environment jointly affect growth?
Answer: Genes set potential; environment influences how much potential is reached. Nature provides the blueprint; nurture determines the outcome.
Flashcard 20: Identify the best conclusion: two plants in the same soil differ in height because one has a dwarf allele.
Answer: Genetic differences can change growth even in the same environment. Different genes + same conditions = different growth.
Flashcard 21: Identify the best conclusion: two plants with the same genotype grow differently in sun versus shade.
Answer: Environmental conditions can change growth even with the same genes. Same genes + different conditions = different growth.
Flashcard 22: What is the definition of genetics in the context of organism growth?
Answer: Inherited DNA instructions that influence traits and growth patterns. DNA carries the blueprint that determines growth potential.
Flashcard 23: Which variable should be kept constant to test only the effect of light on plant growth?
Answer: Plant genotype (use the same variety or clones). Control genetics to isolate environmental effects.
Flashcard 24: Which variable should be changed to test the effect of nutrition on growth in a fair experiment?
Answer: Amount or quality of nutrients provided. Vary only the factor you're testing.
Flashcard 25: Which option is the strongest evidence that environment affects growth: identical twins differ in height or siblings share eye color?
Answer: Identical twins differ in height. Same genes but different heights proves environment matters.
Flashcard 26: What is the definition of a mutation, and how can it relate to growth?
Answer: A DNA change that can alter proteins and potentially change growth traits. Changed DNA can produce different growth proteins.
Flashcard 27: What is the most direct way chronic stress can affect growth in many animals?
Answer: It changes hormone levels that can slow growth and development. Stress hormones can suppress growth processes.
Flashcard 28: What is the most direct way poor nutrition can affect growth in a developing organism?
Answer: It reduces available materials and energy needed to build body tissues. Bodies need raw materials to grow larger.
Flashcard 29: What is a growth-limiting factor in an environment?
Answer: A resource or condition that restricts growth when it is scarce or harmful. Growth stops when essential resources run out.
Flashcard 30: Which statement best describes how genes and environment interact to affect growth?
Answer: Genes set potential; environment influences how much potential is reached. Like a recipe (genes) and cooking conditions (environment).