3rd Grade Science : Explain how plants may change due to environmental changes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : 3rd Grade Science

Kathryn planted beautiful tall shrubs in her backyard to create a shady area to sit and read her books. After a few weeks, she notices that her sunflower plant stems are leaning to the left as opposed to standing straight. She sees the leaves just barely reaching the sunlight, and the rest of the plant is engulfed in the shade. A few more weeks pass, and the plants are leaning even more to the left! This time their leaves are almost entirely in the sunshine.

How and why did the plants change in response to the difference in their environment?

Possible Answers:

The plants leaned to the left to reach the sunlight. Plants need sunlight to get tan.

The plants leaned to the left to reach the sunlight. Plants need sunlight to make their food.

The plants leaned to the right and upwards to reach the sunlight. Plants need sunlight to make their food.

The plants did not change as a result of their environment. They changed their position because it was more comfortable.

Correct answer:

The plants leaned to the left to reach the sunlight. Plants need sunlight to make their food.

Explanation:

Kathryn did not realize when she planted the shrubs in her yard that she would not only shade her reading spot, but she would change the environment for her sunflower plants too. The plants were covered in shade, and they need sunlight to make their food. The plant cannot get up and walk away because they have rooted in the soil, so instead, the stem and leaves lean in the direction of the sunlight. Over time the plant can lean far enough to collect the sunlight it needs.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Changes That Cause Problems

Plants will open their leaves during the daytime to collect sunlight. At night they will close their leaves up to conserve water.

What environmental change is causing the plants to react and make a change?

Possible Answers:

The plants are reacting to the outdoor temperature.

The plants are not reacting to anything in the environment.

The plants are reacting to the movement of the clouds as they block the sunlight.

The plants are reacting to the daily cycle of light and dark.

Correct answer:

The plants are reacting to the daily cycle of light and dark.

Explanation:

The plants are reacting and making a change based on their environment and the changes happening around them. The plants are responding to the daily cycle of light and dark. This environmental change causes the plants to open or close their leaves, and it is done daily.

Example Question #1 : Environmental Changes That Cause Problems

Chloe added some new plants to her garden that she got from a friend. She noticed within a few days, her plants were getting brown spots, and the leaves were wilting. She saw spots like this on her friend's plants but didn't think anything of it. She researches it and thinks her plants might be sick.

What environmental change may have caused this problem with her plants?

Possible Answers:

The new plants she brought home must have had a disease.

The temperature has recently dropped, and now the plants are sick.

Chloe must not have been taking care of the plants so they got sick.

There has been less rain, and this has caused the plants to get sick.

Correct answer:

The new plants she brought home must have had a disease.

Explanation:

Chloe's plants have experienced an environmental change with the introduction of new plants. Chloe mentioned that she noticed spots on the plants she brought home but didn't pay much attention. This is a clue that the new plants were probably already sick. This type of environmental change is common in forests and natural areas as well. People plant invasive plants that wipe out notice plants or accidentally bring home diseased plants, and it spreads through the plants that are already living there.

Example Question #4 : Explain How Plants May Change Due To Environmental Changes

Environmental changes can cause problems for plants.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

This statement is true. There are environmental changes that can cause problems or adverse effects on plants. If diseased plants are brought to a garden of healthy plants, the sickness can be spread through all of the plants. New roadways being built can cause trees to be cut down, and that would be a significant problem for the plants.

Example Question #2 : Environmental Changes That Cause Problems

Fruit and vegetable plants rely on pollinators to spread pollen from flower to flower for reproduction. To make new plants, the pollen has to be transported.

What changes may occur to the plants if there are no pollinators?

Possible Answers:

There will be more plants because they don't have to worry about pollinators eating them.

The plants will grow weaker because there are no pollinators to bring them food.

There will eventually be no plants because they cannot reproduce without the pollinators.

The plants would not be affected by pollinators disappearing.

Correct answer:

There will eventually be no plants because they cannot reproduce without the pollinators.

Explanation:

Plants rely on pollinators for reproduction. Bees, bats, hummingbirds, and other pollinators will move from flower to flower, and the pollen will get stuck to them. When they land on the next flower, the dust will transfer. Seeds are spread, and new plants form. Without pollinators, there would be significant consequences for the plant's future. Eventually, there will be no more fruit and vegetable plants because of the lack of pollinators.

Example Question #6 : Environmental Changes That Cause Problems

Kathryn planted beautiful tall shrubs in her backyard to create a shady area to sit and read her books. After a few weeks, she notices that her sunflower plant stems are leaning to the left as opposed to standing straight. She sees the leaves just barely reaching the sunlight, and the rest of the plant is engulfed in the shade. A few more weeks pass, and the plants are leaning even more to the left! This time their leaves are almost entirely in the sunshine.

What difference(s) in the environment caused the plant to change?

Possible Answers:

The direction and amount of sunlight changed.

The direction of sunlight has changed.

The amount of sunlight changed.

Neither the direction nor the amount of sunlight changed.

Correct answer:

The direction and amount of sunlight changed.

Explanation:

Kathryn did not realize when she planted the shrubs in her yard that she would not only shade her reading spot, but she would change the environment for her sunflower plants too. The plants were covered in the shade, and they need sunlight to make their food. The plant cannot get up and walk away because they have rooted in the soil, so instead, the stem and leaves lean in the direction of the sunlight. Over time the plant can lean far enough to collect the sunlight it needs.

Kathyrn changed the amount and direction of sunlight in her backyard. The sunflower plants had to lean to collect sunlight because of the shade that the shrubs were casting. The plants changed their behavior and physical placement to adapt to the new surroundings.

Example Question #3 : Environmental Changes That Cause Problems

Plants will open their leaves during the daytime to collect sunlight. At night they will close their leaves up to conserve water.

This statement is an example of plants changing due to the environment.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement in the question is correct. Plants reacting to the presence of sunlight or lack of the sun is a change in the environment, and the plants are adapting as necessary. The plants are reacting and making a change based on their environment and the changes happening around them. The plants are responding to the daily cycle of light and dark. This environmental change causes the plants to open or close their leaves, and it is done daily.

Example Question #1 : Explain How Plants May Change Due To Environmental Changes

Chloe added some new plants to her garden that she got from a friend. She noticed within a few days, her plants were getting brown spots, and the leaves were wilting. She saw spots like this on her friend's plants but didn't think anything of it. She researches it and thinks her plants might be sick.

What could Chloe have done differently to keep the plants from changing?

Possible Answers:

Buy new pots for all the plants so they will match.

Trade the old plants with her friend so she can keep the new ones.

Keep the new plants separate until they are not sick anymore.

Plant them in the ground so the soil can heal them.

Correct answer:

Keep the new plants separate until they are not sick anymore.

Explanation:

Chloe's plants have experienced an environmental change with the introduction of new plants. Chloe mentioned that she noticed spots on the plants she brought home but didn't pay much attention. This is a clue that the new plants were probably already sick. This type of environmental change is common in forests and natural areas as well. People plant invasive plants that wipe out notice plants or accidentally bring home diseased plants, and it spreads through the plants that are already living there.

Chloe should have kept the plants separate and not introduced them into the same environment until the new plants were no longer sick.

Example Question #1 : Explain How Plants May Change Due To Environmental Changes

Fruit and vegetable plants rely on pollinators to spread pollen from flower to flower for reproduction. To make new plants, the dust has to be transported.

Which answer choice(s) represent an environmental change that may affect the flowering plants?

Possible Answers:

Drought

Increase in pests

All of the answer choices are correct

Wildfire

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

All of the presented answer choices would affect the flowering plants. A drought would mean no water, which could be devastating for the plants because they rely on water to stay hydrated. Wildfires would wipe out the plants in the area, and they would be forced to regrow from the beginning of their life cycles. If there is an increase in pests in the habitat, the plants may be eaten or damaged, causing a negative effect.

Example Question #6 : Explain How Plants May Change Due To Environmental Changes

Which scenario below is an example of plants being affected by an environmental change?

Possible Answers:

Cindy throws away the dead leaves from a house plant.

Amelia gets a new potted plant from the store and adds it to her collection.

Robert gives his wife a bouquet of roses for their wedding anniversary.

Johnny's tomato plants withered and died during a drought.

Correct answer:

Johnny's tomato plants withered and died during a drought.

Explanation:

All of these scenarios feature plants, but only one highlights a change in the environment, which in turn affects the plants. The tomato plants were deprived of water due to the drought, so they withered and died. Plants need water to survive, and the change in the environment negatively affected the tomato plants.

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