Stage 2 Biology: Investigation Folio Task
Topic 3: Homeostasis
Deconstruct and Design Task: Tolerance Factors in plants
Introduction and Purpose of Task:
Organisms survive best when they exist within their tolerance
...
Stage 2 Biology: Investigation Folio Task
Topic 3: Homeostasis
Deconstruct and Design Task: Tolerance Factors in plants
Introduction and Purpose of Task:
Organisms survive best when they exist within their tolerance limits. Each species of plants, for
example, has a set of environmental conditions within which it can best survive and reproduce.
Many abiotic factors can affect where different plant are able to live. These include
temperature, humidity, soil pH, nutrients in the soil, salinity, and light intensity.
Gardeners are often keen to try growing different plants that appeal to them but do not
necessarily match the abiotic conditions in their garden.
In this investigation, you will investigate an aspect of the tolerance limits for a species of plant
not normally grown in your area.
To deconstruct this problem, you may need to consider the various aspects of this question
including (but not limited to): types of plants, abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, soil
pH, nutrients in the soil, salinity, and light intensity which may restrict the growth of plants in
your area.
You will undertake an investigation and then prepare a report. The details are as follows:
Part A: Research, Deconstruct the problem and Design your own experiment
1. Research:
Undertake some research to help you understand the impact of growing in areas outside
the tolerance limits of a plant.
2. Deconstruct the problem:
Brainstorm the various aspects of the problem:
What is the impact of the tolerance limits for a species of plant not normally grown in
your area?
A table may be an appropriate way to organise your thinking and ideas. An example is
provided below; however, various formats could be used. The ideas in the table are
starting points only.
Summarise your deconstruction on one page.
Note for Teachers:
Please note that the table that follows has been partially filled in with some of the aspects of the
question provided for you, the teacher, to assist with how you might discuss deconstructing the
question with your students. However, it would not be appropriate to give these
questions/suggestions to the students. They should explore the problem and develop their own
ideas about the factors that could be considered.
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