# Life Sciences Paper 1, November 2024, question 3.5.1(a)

> Name the independent variable in this investigation. Marked mark by mark. Q3.5.1(a), Life Sciences Paper 1 November 2024, 1 mark.

Canonical: https://sharpkop.co.za/life-sciences/2024-nov-p1/q3-5-1-a/
Last updated: 2026-11-12

Subject: Life Sciences. Source: Based on Nov 2024 · Paper 1 · Q3.5.1(a). Marks: 1. Not yet checked by a teacher.

## Question 3.5.1(a) (1 mark)

A learner wanted to find out how a plant hormone affects the way shoots grow. She used nine seedlings of the same species, split into three sets of three: set P, set Q and set R. All seedlings were grown in a dark cupboard for two days at the same temperature and given the same amount of water.
- Set P: the shoots were left untouched.
- Set Q: the tip of each shoot was removed and a small block of jelly (agar) containing the hormone was placed on the cut surface.
- Set R: the tip of each shoot was removed and a block of plain agar with no hormone was placed on the cut surface.
After two days she compared how the shoots had grown.

Name the independent variable in this investigation.

Figure: Three seedlings standing in a dark cupboard at the start of the experiment. The first (P) still has its shoot tip. The second (Q) has had the tip cut off and has a small block of agar jelly containing auxins on the cut end. The third (R) has had the tip cut off and has a block of plain agar jelly with no auxins on the cut end.

## Practise it

[Answer this question](https://sharpkop.co.za/life-sciences/2024-nov-p1/q3-5-1-a/) and see it marked mark by mark, with the reason for every lost mark.

## Related

- [More plant responses to the environment questions](https://sharpkop.co.za/life-sciences/plant-responses/)
- [Life Sciences Paper 1, November 2024](https://sharpkop.co.za/life-sciences/2024-nov-p1/)
- [Grade 12 Life Sciences past papers](https://sharpkop.co.za/life-sciences/)

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