Question

Tobias notices that a particular kind of flower comes in many slightly different shades of pink, purple, or blue. He hypothesizes that the different colors of these flowers are genetically different. Which of the following experimental setups is best for testing this hypothesis?

A. Tobias experiments with using different fertilizers and composts, such as pine needles, observing if the presence of these substances will change the colors of the surrounding flowers.
B. Tobias transplants several of the flowers, swapping some from the middle of a pink patch with some in the middle of a blue patch. He observes the results.
C. Tobias collects data on many patches of the flowers he comes across. He records flower color, how much shade the plant gets, observes how moist the ground is, and measures the ground's pH. He compares his data and looks for patterns.
D. Tobias takes home several pink flowers, several purple flowers, and several blue flowers in pots. He breeds and interbreeds them, observing the results.

Answer 1

The best experimental setup for testing the hypothesis that the different colors of these flowers are genetically different is option D. Tobias should take home several pink, purple, and blue flowers in pots and breed and interbreed them, observing the results.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best experimental setup for testing the hypothesis that the different colors of these flowers are genetically different is option D. Tobias should take home several pink, purple, and blue flowers in pots and breed and interbreed them, observing the results. This experimental setup allows for controlled breeding and observations of the offspring, which can reveal the genetic basis for the different flower colors.