Original Project
Reproduction, Genes, and Heredity
Genetic information is encoded in DNA molecules.
Item RH024004: Both a plant's physical characteristics and its behaviors could be affected by the information in the DNA molecules in the plant.
Which of the following could be affected by the information in the DNA molecules of an organism such as a plant?
- Both the plant’s physical characteristics and its behaviors
- The plant’s physical characteristics but not its behaviors
- The plant’s behaviors but not its physical characteristics
- Neither the plant’s physical characteristics nor its behaviors
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 711 | 1616 | 44% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 375 | 923 | 41% |
| 9–12 | 336 | 693 | 48% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 351 | 811 | 43% |
| Female | 352 | 782 | 45% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 648 | 1436 | 45% |
| Other | 41 | 130 | 32% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS3.A Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits.
- NRC Framework
- LS3.A In effect, proteins build an organism’s identifiable traits.