3rd Grade Science : Environmental Impact on Traits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sasha planted huge shrubs and trees in her backyard to give her privacy from her neighbors. She created lots of shade to sit in on hot summer days. What she didn't realize was that all of the darkness was hurting her smaller plants. They are supposed to be green and stand straight, but now they are wilting and brown.

Use evidence from the text to explain the environmental impact on the traits of the smaller plants.

Possible Answers:

The plants inherited traits to be green and stand tall, but because of having no sunlight, they are drooping and turning brown.

The shrubs and trees have changed the environment by creating a beautiful shady spot to sit and relax.

The shrubs and trees are growing strong and tall. This means the soil is healthy and they are getting enough water.

The smaller plants are thriving and doing well in the backyard because of perfect conditions.

Correct answer:

The plants inherited traits to be green and stand tall, but because of having no sunlight, they are drooping and turning brown.

Explanation:

Plants inherit traits from their parents, including their stem color, leaf shape, flower color, and height. If the environmental factors impact those traits, that means they are causing changes. In this case, the difference is a negative one. The plants need sunlight to grow tall and healthy, but the large shrubs and trees are blocking that light. This change plant's environment has caused the traits of the plant to be different. It is no wilting and brown rather than tall and green.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sasha planted huge shrubs and trees in her backyard to give her privacy from her neighbors. She created lots of shade to sit in on hot summer days. What she didn't realize was that all of the darkness was hurting her smaller plants. They are supposed to be green and stand straight, but now they are wilting and brown.

What traits have changed with the smaller plants?

Possible Answers:

Stem color and leaf shape

Leaf age and hobbies

Root size and flowers

Plant shape and color

Correct answer:

Plant shape and color

Explanation:

Plants inherit traits from their parents, including their stem color, shape, leaf texture, flower color, and stem shape. Due to the shade from the tall shrubs and trees, the plants are no longer straight, green plants like their parents but instead brown and wilting. The environmental impact on the plant's traits has caused it to change, and its appearance has been altered.

Example Question #2 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Matt got a new dog for his birthday. He wasn't sure how much to feed him, so he gave him two scoops. He also didn't like to walk him because it was so hot, so he didn't take him for long walks. When the dog would tease for treats, he always gave in because the dog was just so cute! When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds, and within a few months, he is almost 50 pounds but hasn't gotten taller. The rest of the dogs from the same litter are still 35 pounds.

Which words/phrases from the passage are examples of environmental factors on the dog's traits?

Possible Answers:

"the dog would tease for treats," "When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds," and "The rest of the dogs from the same litter."

"Matt got a new dog for his birthday." and "He also didn't like to walk him because it was so hot."

"he gave him two scoops," "he didn't take him for long walks," and "he always gave in [giving treats]."

"Matt got a new dog," "it was so hot," and "the dog was just so cute."

Correct answer:

"he gave him two scoops," "he didn't take him for long walks," and "he always gave in [giving treats]."

Explanation:

Environmental factors are outside factors, something outside of, in this case, the dog's control that affects his life. From the information given, the dogs in the same litter are about 35 pounds, so Matt's dog should be too. The factors of Matt feeding him too much, not taking him on long walks, and giving him treats all the time has led to his weight increasing.

Example Question #3 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Matt got a new dog for his birthday. He wasn’t sure how much to feed him, so he gave him two scoops. He also didn’t like to walk him because it was so hot, so he didn’t take him for long walks. When the dog would tease for treats, he always gave in because the dog was just so cute! When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds, and within a few months, he is almost 50 pounds but hasn’t gotten taller. The rest of the dogs from the same litter are still 35 pounds.
 
What trait has Matt impacted on his dog?
Possible Answers:

The dog's height

The dog's weight

The dog's pattern

The dog's color

Correct answer:

The dog's weight

Explanation:

Matt and the dog's environment have had an impact on the dog's weight. This trait is predetermined by genes and then effected by choices like diet and exercise. When Matt overfed the dog, gave it too many treats, and did not take it out for long walks, the dog gained weight. He has impacted this inherited trait with environmental changes.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Impact On Traits

What does the phrase environmental impact mean? Example: Animals have inherited traits but there can be environmental impacts that make changes.

Possible Answers:

The surroundings of forests, lakes, ponds, and other natural places

A change to the environment that can be positive or negative

One object coming into contact with another

A habitat where animals and their offspring live

Correct answer:

A change to the environment that can be positive or negative

Explanation:

Environmental impacts are changes made to the environment that can be a good or bad thing. A negative environmental effect could be the cutting down of trees in a forest; a positive could be adding bat houses to areas with large bat populations. Animals inherit traits from their parents, but those traits can be affected by environmental impacts.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Use evidence from the data table to explain the environmental impact on the traits of the wheat plant.

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Possible Answers:

The amount of water does not affect a plant's height

Using less water causes the plants to be taller

Using more water causes the plants to be shorter

Using more water causes the plants to be taller

Correct answer:

Using more water causes the plants to be taller

Explanation:

Environmental factors can have an impact on the traits of plants and animals. In the case of this farmer's wheat plants, the more water the field received, the taller the plant is. The data table provides evidence to support this claim and the impact that water has on the traits of a plant.

 

Example Question #1 : Use Evidence To Explain Environmental Impacts On Traits

Sawney is excited to take care of her first plant all by herself. Her mother gave her a sunflower, and she decides to keep it in her windowless bedroom. She waters it every day and shines a lamp on it. She plays music and takes pictures to show her friends. After about a week, it was not looking too good; the leaves were shriveled and turning black, the petals were drying up and falling off. She realized her plant was dying.

What environmental factor most likely caused the plant to begin to die?

Possible Answers:

Taking pictures

Windowless bedroom

Watering the plant

Playing music

Correct answer:

Windowless bedroom

Explanation:

Environmental factors are outside factors, something outside of, in this case, the plant's control that affects its life. Sawney has a windowless bedroom, so she decided to shine a light on the plant. Plants must have natural sunlight to create their food through photosynthesis. If Sawney did not provide the plant with natural sunlight, this is what the plant is being affected negatively and is now dying.

Example Question #2 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sawney is excited to take care of her first plant all by herself. Her mother gave her a sunflower, and she decided to keep it in her windowless bedroom. It has a bright green stem and leaves, has beautiful yellow petals, and is tall. She waters it every day and shines a lamp on it. She played music and took pictures to show her friends. After about a week, it was not looking too good; the leaves were shriveled and turning black, the petals were drying up and falling off. She realized her plant was dying.

Which excerpt from the passage is evidence that the plant is being negatively impacted?

Possible Answers:

"...bright green stem and leaves, has beautiful yellow petals, and is tall."

"Sawney is excited to take care of her first plant all by herself."

"She played music and took pictures to show her friends."

"...the leaves were shriveled and turning black, the petals were drying up and falling off."

Correct answer:

"...the leaves were shriveled and turning black, the petals were drying up and falling off."

Explanation:

In this passage, the sunflower plant is being negatively impacted by the environmental factors out of its control. Sawney has placed the plant in a windowless bedroom and replaced sunlight with a lamp. The excerpt, "...the leaves were shriveled and turning black, the petals were drying up and falling off." demonstrates that there is a negative impact on the plant.

Example Question #7 : Use Evidence To Explain Environmental Impacts On Traits

Matt got a new dog for his birthday. He wasn't sure how much to feed him, so he gave him two scoops. Matt also didn't like to walk him because it was so hot, so he didn't take him for long walks. When the dog would tease for treats, he always gave in because the dog was just so cute! When Matt got the dog, he was 35 pounds, and within a few months, he is almost 50 pounds but hasn't gotten taller. The rest of the dogs from the same litter are still 35 pounds.
 
What could Matt do to reverse the environmental impact on the dog's natural traits?
Possible Answers:

Take the dog for daily walks

All of the answer choices are correct

Stop giving him treats

Put the dog on a diet

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

Matt and the dog's environment have had an impact on the dog's weight. This trait is predetermined by genes and then effected by choices like diet and exercise. When Matt overfed the dog, gave it too many treats, and did not take it out for long walks, the dog gained weight. He has impacted this inherited trait with environmental changes. If Matt wants to reverse these changes, he will need to change the environment the dog is living in. Matt can give the dog fewer treats, put the dog on a diet, and he can take the dog on long walks. All of these new factors in the dog's life may reverse the weight gain.

Example Question #2 : Environmental Impact On Traits

Sasha planted huge shrubs and trees in her backyard to give her privacy from her neighbors. She created lots of shade to sit in on hot summer days. What she didn't realize was that all of the darkness was hurting her smaller plants. They are supposed to be green and stand straight, but now they are wilting and brown.

What can Sasha do to reduce the environmental impact that the tall shrubs have on her small plants?

Possible Answers:

Move the chairs further from the small plants

Trim the shrubs to allow more light

Plant new short shrubs next to the tall ones

There is no way to reduce the impact on the small plants

Correct answer:

Trim the shrubs to allow more light

Explanation:

Plants inherit traits from their parents, including their stem color, leaf shape, flower color, and height. If the environmental factors impact those traits, that means they are causing changes. In this case, the difference is a negative one. The plants need sunlight to grow tall and healthy, but the large shrubs and trees are blocking that light. If Sasha trims the tall shrubs, it may allow more light to filter down to the small plants. If the small plants receive more sunlight, they may begin to regrow leaves and become stronger and healthier.

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