--- title: 3.1.3.D description: 3.1.3.D Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 3.1.3.D Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 3.1.3.D Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-03-19-53-3179-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) ## [Food Webs In this unit, students focus on the biosphere and how living things depend on their environment and one another for survival. In this first lesson of the unit, they explore the science phenomena of the flow of energy through a food web. This page outlines key parts of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-03-20-03-7546-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) ## [Plant Structures In this unit, students analyze how living things have specific structures that allow them to function in different environments. They trace how energy flows through a tropical wetland food web, and then test how temperature affects a plant’s ability to transpire through its leaves, affecting its ability to grow. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson on plant structures. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plant-structures) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-12-29-08-9517-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) ## [Heredity and Traits In this unit, students discover the life cycles of different organisms, tracing how individuals move from birth to growth, reproduction, and death. In this lesson, students analyze the science phenomena of how traits are passed down from parent to offspring. This page provides an overview of all the parts of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-11-39-01-7984-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) ## [Plant Growth In this unit, students focus on the biosphere, analyzing how living things interact with one another and their environment for survival. In this lesson, students figure out the science phenomenon of how plants gather energy and nutrients. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-08-2023-11-39-02-1427-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) ## [Energy and Matter in Food Webs In this unit, students analyze how matter cycles between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. They compare plant and animal cells, figuring out how internal structures help an organism get energy. Then, in this lesson, students figure out how energy flows and matter cycles through a food web, and investigate the phenomena of how plants convert non-food sources, such as light, air, and water, into food sources. This page showcases key elements of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/energy-and-matter-in-food-webs) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/3.1.3.d", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "3.1.3.D Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```