Explain5 marksStandard
A biologist studies a population of wildflowers. Two traits are recorded: flower colour (red or white) and leaf length (measured in cm). The following data were obtained:
- Flower colour: 120 red, 80 white.
- Leaf length in habitat A: mean = 10.2 cm, standard deviation = 2.1 cm, sample size = 50.
- Leaf length in habitat B: mean = 12.5 cm, standard deviation = 2.3 cm, sample size = 50.
Explain the likely genetic basis for the variation in flower colour and for the variation in leaf length. Also explain how the biologist could use a t-test to determine whether the difference in mean leaf length between the two habitats is statistically significant.