Item EM029005: If tail length in mice is an inherited trait, the tail length of parents and offspring are related. (Recognize the relationship in a graph.)
Scientists measured the tail lengths of mouse parents and the tail lengths of their adult offspring. Then they graphed the data.
If tail length is an inherited trait, which of the following graphs and explanations shows how parent tail length would be related to offspring tail length?
- Because parents with long tails tend to have offspring with long tails.
- Because parents with long tails tend to have offspring with short tails.
- Because regardless of parent tail length, offspring tail length is dependent on the environment they are raised in.
- Because parent tail length does not affect offspring tail length.
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 339 | 559 | 61% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 13 | 23 | 57% |
| 9–12 | 298 | 499 | 60% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 123 | 221 | 56% |
| Female | 188 | 300 | 63% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 307 | 516 | 59% |
| Other | 8 | 13 | 62% |
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 168 | 281 | 60% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 12 | 18 | 67% |
| 9–12 | 141 | 229 | 62% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 70 | 109 | 64% |
| Female | 84 | 135 | 62% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 153 | 243 | 63% |
| Other | 4 | 9 | 44% |
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 225 | 305 | 74% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 9–12 | 203 | 280 | 73% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 94 | 139 | 68% |
| Female | 116 | 150 | 77% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 202 | 276 | 73% |
| Other | 4 | 8 | 50% |
- Science and Engineering Practices
- SEP4 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena.
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS3.A Young animals are very much, but not exactly like, their parents. Plants also are very much, but not exactly, like their parents.