If the WER gene were expressed in every root epidermal cell, the plant would

Question

A.  greatly increase its absorptive capacity.
B.  strengthen its attachment to the soil.
C.   increase in the diameter of its roots.
D.  greatly reduce its water and nutrient uptake.
E.  greatly reduce its ability to exchange gases at the epidermal surface.
Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

Gather Content
· What do you already know about  the function of the WER gene in root epidermal cells of plants? How does it relate to the question?

Consider Possibilities
· What other information is related to the question? Which information is most useful?

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

D.  greatly reduce its water and nutrient uptake.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question is asking about the role of the WER gene.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o You must apply what you know about the WER gene to deduce the effects on the structure of a plant.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o WER, which is a gene that limits root hair growth.
        o Root epidermal cell, which occur at the periphery of roots.

Gather Content
· What do you already know about  the function of the WER gene in root epidermal cells of plants? How does it relate to the question?
        o The WER gene limits the growth of root hairs.
        o The wer gene mutation causes an excess of root hairs.
        o WER is a reference to werewolf.
        o Root hairs increase the surface area for absorption of materials into the root.

Consider Possibilities
· What other information is related to the question? Which information is most useful?
        o The WER gene does not affect root diameter.
        o The WER gene does not promote attachment of the root to the soil.
        o If WER is expressed, absorption of materials would not increase, because fewer root hairs would be present

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o To answer this question, you need to associate the expression of the WER gene with decreased root hairs.
        o Decreased water and nutrient uptake occur with decreased root hairs.

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

· Apply level:
        o This question asked you to infer the consequences of a mutation in the WER gene. Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to use the function of WER in a new situation¼ If you got the correct answer, great job! If you got an incorrect answer, where did the process break down? Did you remember that WER limits the growth of root hairs or
that if mutated, this gene causes an excess of root hairs to grow? Did you have trouble extending the function of WER to determine the correct answer?