For the science fair, a student sets up Petri dishes with samples of food from the different food groups. In some Petri dishes there are nuts, apple slices, and lettuce representing fruits and vegetable. In some Petri dishes there is cheese, a layer of milk, and sour cream representing the dairy group. In a few Petri dishes there are slices of pork, chicken, and beef for the meat group. Finally, there are a few Petri dishes with cooked pasta and bread placed in them. The student leaves the dishes with the food uncovered and at room temperature for 12 hours. Then the food is covered with the lids of the Petri dishes. The foods are kept covered and at room temperature for one week and observations are made for mold growth.
What would be a good question to ask when planning this comparative investigation?
Responses
A Does temperature affect mold growth?Does temperature affect mold growth?
B What mold types appear on different food groups?What mold types appear on different food groups?
C Will the amount of food in the petri dish affect mold growth?Will the amount of food in the petri dish affect mold growth?
D Does the size of the food affect the growth of mold?