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 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Even though traits are inherited, they are also influenced by the environment. The environment and the characteristics of an organism are in a cause and effect relationship.
False
True
True
This statement is true. Organisms are born with specific traits inherited from their parents, but the environment can influence them. In cases where food is limited, a typically massive animal may be skinny, or shade over a plant may cause it to be stunted in growth.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
How were the plant's traits influenced by the environment based on the data table?
The plants in Field A were shorter because they got too much water.
The plants in Field B were shorter because they did not receive enough water.
The plant was not affected by any environmental factors.
The plants received the same amount of water and were influenced equally.
The plants in Field B were shorter because they did not receive enough water.
The data table presents two wheat fields that received a different amount of water each day. The plant that received the least amount of water was the shortest. Based on this evidence, environmental factors have influenced the height of the plant.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Bullfrog A - She lives in a pond with lots of insects, Lilly pads, and freshwater. She is a normal-sized frog and gets plenty to eat so she can grow strong.
Bullfrog B - She lives in a backyard puddle with a few bugs, grass, and only rainwater. She is a small frog and a little on the thin side.
What trait is being influenced by the environment?
The frog's weight
The frog's height
The frog's color
The frog's pattern
The frog's weight
The trait that is being influenced by the environment is the frog's weight. Bullfrog A is a healthy weight because she has plenty to eat. Bullfrog B is thin and small because she does not have plentiful food. If the food source for an animal is scarce, the size, weight, or growth speed of that animal may change. The environment influences the traits of both plants and animals.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Bullfrog A - She lives in a pond with lots of insects, Lilly pads, and freshwater. She is a normal-sized frog and gets plenty to eat so she can grow strong.
Bullfrog B - She lives in a backyard puddle with a few bugs, grass, and only rainwater. She is a small frog and a little on the thin side.
How does the environment influence the traits of the frog?
The number of insects influences the frog's weight
The size of the frog influences the water source
The size of the water source influences the frog's color
The type of plants influences the frog's height
The number of insects influences the frog's weight
The environment influences a plant or animal's traits. Depending on the conditions that the animal or plant lives in, they will make adaptations to survive. In the case of our bullfrogs, there is a difference in size and weight. Bullfrog A has access to a plentiful food source and is large and healthy. Bullfrog B is smaller and thin because she only has access to a few bugs. Due to a difference in the environmental factors, there is a difference in the weight of the frogs.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
What might happen to your adult height if you do not have proper nutrition as a child?
You may be heavier than expected.
You may be shorter than expected.
You may be lighter than expected.
You may grow taller than expected.
You may be shorter than expected.
Environmental factors influence traits in plants and animals. These traits include things like weight, height, size, and color. If a child does not get proper nutrition, their height may be stunted as an adult. Without the right vitamins and nutrients, they may not reach their inherited potential due to environmental influences.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
How would a dog's weight be impacted if all they ate lots of treats and never exercised?
They may be underweight.
They may be overweight.
They may grow very tall.
They may be very short.
They may be overweight.
Environmental factors influence traits in plants and animals. These traits include things like weight, height, size, and color. If a dog does not get proper nutrition and exercise, their weight will be negatively impacted. The dog is likely to be overweight if the environmental factors are not changed. Without the right vitamins, nutrients, and exercise, they may not reach their inherited potential due to environmental influences.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Cat A - She lives in a house with humans. They feed her daily, give her freshwater, and provide lots of toys for her to play with. Her humans let her sleep on the soft bed, takes her to the veterinarians, and pet her.
Cat B - She lives in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant. She eats what she finds for scraps and drinks from puddles. She has never been to a vet and sleeps under the big tree in the back. She is terrified of humans.
What traits are influenced by the cats' environment?
All of the answer choices are correct.
The living environment influences the cats' weight.
The living environment influences the cats' comfort with people.
The living environment influences the cats' health.
All of the answer choices are correct.
The environment influences a plant or animal's traits. Depending on the conditions that the animal or plant lives in, they will make adaptations to survive. These cats are living in very different situations, and this will impact the traits of the cats. Their weight, health, and comfort with people will all be affected by the conditions they live in. Cat A has access to food, clean water, medical care, and daily positive interactions with people, whereas Cat B is scared of people, eats scraps, and drinks dirty water. These different living situations will impact the cats' physical and behavioral traits.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Cat A - She lives in a house with humans. They feed her daily, give her freshwater, and provide lots of toys for her to play with. Her humans let her sleep on the soft bed, takes her to the veterinarians, and pet her.
Cat B - She lives in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant. She eats what she finds for scraps and drinks from puddles. She has never been to a vet and sleeps under the big tree in the back. She is terrified of humans.
How does the environment influence the cats' traits?
The type of food the cats eat influences their toy preference
Their interactions with humans influence their behaviors with them
The location the cats live in influences their fur color
The type of water the cats drink influences their sleep patterns
Their interactions with humans influence their behaviors with them
The environment influences a plant or animal's traits. Depending on the conditions that the animal or plant lives in, they will make adaptations to survive. In the case of our cats, there is a difference in their behavior with humans. Cat A has access to humans daily and experiences positive interactions with them. Cat B is terrified of humans and has had limited interactions with them. Due to environmental factors, there is a difference in the behaviors of the cats.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Farmer McGraw is new to growing corn, and this is his first season harvesting the crops. His friend Farmer Hill recommended planting the seeds about six inches apart to give them room for the roots to expand, but he wanted more corn, so he planted them two inches apart instead. He is realizing now that not many seeds seem to be germinating, and they are not sprouting plants every two inches apart as he had hoped.
What is the physical trait(s) of the plants being influenced by the environment?
The roots cannot expand to their full reach.
The plants did not receive any water, so they are withering and dying.
There is not enough sunlight, so the plants cannot make food.
The stem cannot support the weight of the plant.
The roots cannot expand to their full reach.
Organisms are born with specific traits inherited from their parents, but the environment can influence them. Farmer McGraw planted his seeds to close together so the roots were restricted and could not grow to their full potential. He is going to have less yield than if he had listened to Farmer Hill because he will not have as many plants grow. The environment the seeds were planted in restricted their ability to grow appropriately.
Example Question #1 : Explain How Traits Are Influenced By The Environment
Which of the plant's traits were influenced by the environment based on the data table?
Height
Water Supply
Growth Rate
Weight
Height
The data table presents two wheat fields that received a different amount of water each day. The plant that received the least amount of water was the shortest. Based on this evidence, environmental factors have influenced the height of the plant. There is no mention of the plant's weight, growth rate, and the water supply is not a trait of the wheat plant.
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