A researcher is interested in the effects of nitrate and phosphate on plant growth and sets up an experiment in which
groups of five plants are given 1, 2, and 3 grams of nitrate and 1, 2, and 3 grams of phosphate in all combinations over
a period of one month. The researcher measures plant height and weight at the end of the experiment. What is missing
in this experimental design?

A) a control
B) an independent variable
C) a dependent variable
D) a constant