Damage to the ground meristem of a plant would result in

Question

A.  the inability to move water but not sugar through the plant.
B.  decreased sugar production.
C.  an increase of gas exchange at the surface of the leaf.
D.  dehydration of the plant.
E.  inability to move sugar but not water through the plant.

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 ground meristem in 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

B.  decreased sugar production.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o The ground meristem plays an important role in the life of a plant.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o You must apply what you know about the functions of the ground meristem to identify the effects of damage to that tissue.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o Ground meristem, which has functions that include giving rise to photosynthetic tissues.

Gather Content
· What do you already know about the function of ground meristem in plants? How does it relate to the question?
        o Ground meristem functions in photosynthesis, storage, secretion, support, and protection.
        o Photosynthesis produces sugar.

Consider Possibilities
· What other information is related to the question? Which information is most useful?
        o Ground meristem is not involved in transport of water and nutrients.
        o Ground meristem is not involved in gas exchange.

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o You need to connect the functions of ground meristem to this example by imagining what would happen to the plant if the ground meristem is compromised.  Since the ground meristem, gives rise to the photosynthetic tissues, if the ground meristem is compromised, there would be fewer photosynthetic tissues.  With lower rates of photosynthesis, there would be less sugar produced.

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 extrapolate the effects of tissue damage.  Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to use the function of specific tissues in a new situation.  If you got the correct answer, great job! If you got an incorrect answer, where did the process break down? Did you remember that ground meristem gives rise to tissues that photosynthesize? Did you have trouble extending the function of specific tissues to determine the correct answer?