Textbook Question
If the apples you buy are labeled 'organic,' does that tell you anything about how they were grown? About the nutritional content of the apples?
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Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Biology: The Study of Scientific Life19
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Basis of Life17
- Ch. 3 The Molecules of Cells21
- Ch. 4 A Tour of the Cell20
- Ch. 5 The Working Cell17
- Ch. 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy18
- Ch. 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food15
- Ch. 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance22
- Ch. 9 Patterns of Inheritance17
- Ch. 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene13
- Ch. 11 How Genes Are Controlled13
- Ch. 12 DNA Technology and Genomics23
- Ch. 13 How Populations Evolve17
- Ch. 14 The Origin of Species19
- Ch. 15 Tracing Evolutionary History18
- Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists16
- Ch. 17 The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity15
- Ch. 18 The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity13
- Ch. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity18
- Ch. 20 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function11
- Ch. 21 Nutrition and Digestion16
- Ch. 22 Gas Exchange16
- Ch. 23 Circulation17
- Ch. 24 The Immune System16
- Ch. 25 Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance20
- Ch. 26 Hormones and the Endocrine System10
- Ch. 27 Reproduction and Embryonic Development12
- Ch. 28 Nervous Systems10
- Ch. 29 The Senses12
- Ch. 30 How Animals Move19
- Ch. 31 Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction9
- Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport12
- Ch. 33 Control Systems in Plants15
- Ch. 34 The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth's Diverse Environments15
- Ch. 35 Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment12
- Ch. 36 Population Ecology15
- Ch. 37 Communities and Ecosystems14
- Ch. 38 Conservation Biology14
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 32 Plant Nutrition and TransportProblem 12
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 32 Plant Nutrition and TransportProblem 12Chapter 32, Problem 12
One of the most important properties of proper scientific investigations is their repeatability. Yet, as discussed in Module 32.11, studies that compare the nutritional content of conventional and organic produce sometimes produce contradictory results. Name some possible confounding factors that can account for such uneven results.
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Understand the concept of confounding factors: These are variables that can influence the outcome of a study but are not the variables being directly studied. They can lead to misleading conclusions if not properly controlled.
Consider environmental factors: Differences in soil quality, climate, and farming practices (e.g., irrigation, crop rotation) can affect the nutritional content of both conventional and organic produce.
Account for genetic variation: Different varieties of the same crop may naturally have different nutritional profiles, regardless of whether they are grown conventionally or organically.
Examine post-harvest handling: Factors such as storage time, transportation conditions, and exposure to light or temperature can alter the nutritional content of produce before it is analyzed.
Evaluate study design and methodology: Variations in sample size, measurement techniques, and statistical analysis methods can lead to inconsistent results across studies.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Repeatability in Scientific Investigations
Repeatability refers to the ability of an experiment or study to yield the same results when conducted under the same conditions. It is a fundamental principle of scientific research, ensuring that findings are reliable and not due to random chance. If results are not repeatable, it raises questions about the validity of the original study.
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06:29
Scientific Method
Confounding Factors
Confounding factors are variables that can influence both the independent and dependent variables in a study, potentially leading to misleading conclusions. In the context of comparing nutritional content, factors such as soil quality, weather conditions, and farming practices can confound results, making it difficult to attribute differences solely to the type of produce (conventional vs. organic).
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01:39Density-Independent Factors
Nutritional Content Variability
Nutritional content variability refers to the differences in nutrient levels found in food products, which can be influenced by numerous factors including growing conditions, harvest time, and post-harvest handling. This variability can lead to inconsistent findings in studies comparing organic and conventional produce, as the nutritional profile may differ significantly even within the same category of produce.
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07:36Variables
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Acid rain contains an excess of hydrogen ions (H+). One effect of acid rain is to deplete the soil of plant nutrients such as calcium (Ca²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺).
Offer a hypothesis to explain why acid rain washes these nutrients from the soil.
How might you test your hypothesis?
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Textbook Question
Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in arid western states, including Colorado, Arizona, and California. The populations of these states are growing, and there is an ongoing conflict between cities and farm regions over water. To ensure water supplies for urban growth, cities are purchasing water rights from farmers. This is often the least expensive way for a city to obtain more water, and some farmers can make more money selling water than growing crops. Discuss the possible consequences of this trend. Is this the best way to allocate water for all concerned? Why or why not?
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