Which statement accurately describes a dependent variable?

A dependent variable is one that is measured in an experiment to assess the effects of the independent variable. The key characteristic of a dependent variable is that it changes in response to alterations made to the independent variable. For example, if a scientist is investigating how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the height of the plants (the dependent variable) will change based on the amount of sunlight provided (the independent variable). This relationship is fundamental in experimental design, as it allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect links between the variables under investigation.