MS_LS1 - Factors affecting growth of organisms - FINAL (WND 12/11/13)

Module: Factors Affecting Growth of Organisms

DCI: LS1.B (C) Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growth of the adult plant.

PE: MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.]

There is not much content here. These seem to be here.
-Genetic factors affect the growth of plants.
-Local (environmental?) factors affect the growth of plants.

For the process skills part we will need to determine if kids can use evidence to explain how genes and habitat can affect growth (of plants AND animals).

Possible Question Starters: 

"Two seeds were planted 2 meters apart from each other.  After one year, the first seed had grown to a height of 25 cm while the second seed grew to 11 cm.  Which of the following factors is most directly responsible for this difference?

correct answer - genetic differences

incorrect answers, soil quality, frequency of rainfall, etc. 

"A family of Koi fish is separated and placed in two different ponds in the same region.  The fish in one pond grow to be much larger than the fish in the other pond. Which of the following factors is most directly responsible for this difference? 

-correct answer - size of the pond

-incorrect answers - genes of the fish, seasonal change in temperature, the type of food eaten