Factors in plant growth

The climate of an area, the type of soil, the kinds of organisms in a given area, the space and supply of water all are factors in which of the following terms?

• Biotic section

• Abiotic section

• ecosystem

• Natural range

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Materials like phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen are examples of which of the following?

• Nutrients

• Biotic factors

• Organic material

• Subsoil

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What factors limit the ability of some plants to grow well in sandy soil?

• Too much wind

• Moisture drains too quickly

• Water accumulates, drowning roots

• Native animals overgraze sandy areas.

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Soil samples were taken from two different fields. Chemical tests showed that the soils contained the same amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. Plants growing in the field with the darker soil grew taller and produced larger fruit. What would explain why plants growing in the darker soil were more successful?

• Light colored soils absorb more heat so the plants are warmer

• Dark colored soils contain too much clay and roots don't grow well.

• Dark colored soils contain more organic material, which provides additional nutrients.

• Light colored soils are found in deserts so they don't contain enough water.

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In an experiment conducted in a science class it was shown that the initial growth of a seed did not require sunlight. What is the best explanation for this fact?

• Soil provides all the nutrients a sprouting seed needs.

• Sunlight actually harms the seed because it gets too hot while sprouting.

• The seed contains stored nutrients for the developing plant.

• As long as the seed can undergo photosynthesis it doesn't need light.

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A gardening shop sold Karen a bush that bore beautiful pink flowers. A year after Karen planted the bush all of the flowers on the bush were blue. When she complained to the gardening shop they asked her to check the pH of her soil. Which statement best explains why pH would make a difference in flower color?

• Soil pH doesn't matter. The gardening shop just wanted to get rid of an annoying customer.

• Soil pH affects the kinds of nutrients the plant can absorb and different levels of some nutrients cause a change in the color of the plant.

• Soil pH is an indication of the amount of moisture in the soil. Overwatering could result in blue flowers.

• Soil pH is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in soil and nitrogen is an important factor in flower color.

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During a "super bloom" year in Southern California wild poppies blanket acres of nature preserve land. The winters before a super bloom tend to be cooler and rainier than average. Which of the following statements is a good explanation for the super blooms.

• The increased rain helps the plants grow. The cool temperatures reduce evaporation.

• Warmer temperatures in the winter months keep the flower seeds from dying.

• Continental tropical air from the Mexican deserts bring warm air into California during the winter months.

• More rain in the desert increases competition for water between different living things.

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Mutant carrots or bad soil conditions? Which of the following statements best explains the cause of the deformities in the carrots?

• The carrots were grown in a garden at the edge of a toxic landfill. The landfill chemicals caused genetic changes in the carrot roots.

• The carrots were planted in an area where the soil became very compacted.

  The roots couldn't grow down so they grew wide and branched instead.

• The carrots were planted in a sandy soil that allowed them to grow very quickly, resulting in the strange shapes.

• Certain nutrients were not present in the soil and the carrots were deformed because of poor nutrition.

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The nutrient phosphorous is important in creating the materials necessary for photosynthesis (capturing the sun's energy in the form of sugar). Poor growth and unusually dark leaves are indicators of phosphorous deficiency. This can occur in times of drought. Which statement best explains the link between drought and phosphorous deficiency?

• Plant nutrients like phosphorous must dissolve in water in order for the roots to absorb the nutrients.

• Drought conditions make it too hot for plants to carry out normal life functions.

• A drought results in the leaves drying out and phosphorous accumulating in the plant tissues.

• When there isn't enough water present the plants can't grow properly.

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A growing trend in landscaping is to abandon a traditional lawn in favor of planting wildflowers and allowing the yard to remain unmown. How would this kind of landscaping benefit the environment?

• Since it is not necessary to mow the grass less gas is used and so there is less pollution.

• Flowers are prettier than plain grass and will make people happy.

• A wilder area results in greater biodiversity. This means the ecosystem is healthier and more resilient.

• Wild plants are better adapted to the environment and don't demand special care.

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