[Campbell Biology P.811] Based on the "Data from the Experiment" table, what is the most acc... | Practice Question

Based on the "Data from the Experiment" table, what is the most accurate conclusion regarding the factors influencing leaf tooth traits average area of a single tooth and number of teeth per cm² of leaf area in red maple trees?

  • A: Leaf tooth traits are primarily determined by genetic heritage, as seeds from northern locations consistently produce "toothier" leaves regardless of growth environment.
  • B: Leaf tooth traits are primarily determined by environmental factors, as plants grown in Florida consistently have fewer teeth per cm² and larger tooth areas compared to those grown in Rhode Island, regardless of seed origin.
  • C: Leaf tooth traits are influenced by both genetic heritage (seed origin) and environmental factors (growth location), demonstrating phenotypic plasticity.
  • D: It is impossible to conclude the factors influencing leaf tooth traits from this data, as there are no consistent patterns.

Explanation

The data demonstrates that both the seed collection site genetic heritage and the growth environment Rhode Island vs. Florida affect the leaf tooth traits. For example, Ontario seeds generally produce more teeth than Florida seeds when grown in the same environment. Also, for seeds from the same origin e.g., South Carolina , growing them in Rhode Island results in different tooth traits compared to growing them in Florida. This indicates that the traits are influenced by both genetic background and environmental conditions, a phenomenon known as phenotypic plasticity.