Final answer:
In the bread mold experiment, the hypothesis is that the new packaging will prevent mold growth more effectively than the regular packaging. The independent variable is the type of packaging, and the dependent variable is the amount of mold growth on the loaves of bread.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothesis for the experiment described would likely be: 'The new packaging for Wonder bread will prevent mold from growing as quickly as it does on the bread in the regular packaging.' In this experiment, the independent variable is the type of packaging used (new packaging vs. regular packaging). This is what the researchers are manipulating to observe an effect. The dependent variable is the amount of mold growth on the loaves of bread, as this is the outcome being measured and is expected to change in response to the different types of packaging.
To further understand these components, let's clarify what an experiment is. An experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying, or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. When comparing the dependent variable to the independent variable, the dependent variable is what is being measured in the experiment and is 'dependent' on the changes made to the independent variable, which is the variable that is being manipulated or changed.
In the bread mold experiment, the independent variable is the new packaging design, and the dependent variable is the rate or amount of mold growth observed. By monitoring these variables, researchers hope to discern whether the packaging change has an impact on bread mold growth. An example of this can be drawn from testing Fleming's hypothesis, where the presence of mold on glass plates served as the independent variable and the growth of bacteria was the dependent variable.