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Item ME062001: When kelp grows, it takes in atoms from the environment that become part of the kelp.

Kelp is a type of algae. Algae are living things that are neither plants nor animals. Kelp live underwater, near the seashore. Like plants, kelp can make glucose through chemical reactions. When kelp grows, it gains mass.

Kelp. Photo (CC) by NOAA on Flickr.

Which of the following explains how kelp grows?

  1. When kelp grows, new atoms are created, which become part of the kelp.
  2. When kelp grows, it takes in atoms from its environment that become part of the kelp.
  3. When kelp grows, it turns atoms from its environment into new types of atoms that become part of the kelp.
  4. When kelp grows, its cells divide and no additional atoms are needed.

Pre-Test

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 357
6–8
n = 357
9–12
n = 0
Male
n = 195
Female
n = 162
English
n = 330
Other
n = 27
A. 24% 24% NAN% 23% 26% 22% 44%
B. 26% 26% NAN% 24% 28% 26% 19%
C. 27% 27% NAN% 31% 22% 28% 11%
D. 23% 23% NAN% 22% 24% 23% 26%

Post-Test

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 346
6–8
n = 346
9–12
n = 0
Male
n = 185
Female
n = 161
English
n = 319
Other
n = 27
A. 14% 14% NAN% 12% 16% 13% 19%
B. 56% 56% NAN% 58% 55% 58% 37%
C. 25% 25% NAN% 25% 25% 24% 33%
D. 5% 5% NAN% 5% 4% 4% 11%