Thursday, August 31, 2017

Modified root of a plant

Carrots are an example of a modified root of a plant because they grow underground. They do this in order to protect themselves from being eaten by animals and to store nutrients and water away from the sun. By having the stem above ground, the plant is still able to go through photosynthesis and water. These storage roots are very beneficial during a time of drought or during times when there is not much sun.

Littoral Zone Organism

Littoral zone organisms live where land meets sea (the beach). Crabs are an example of littoral, or Intertidal zone organisms. Littoral zone organisms have the ability to breath both above and underwater. Littoral zone organisms are especially in danger of predators during low tide because then they are exposed to birds and foxes. Crabs make burrows in the sand to protect themselves from predators.

Rhizome


Rhizomes are often known as aggressive plants because they grow underground in a way that can easily take over the soil if not properly maintained. Ginger is an example of a rhizome because it grows horizontally, underground. Rhizomes are so aggressive because once they have been harvested, there is still the possibility that there could still be roots in the ground that will continue growing. The roots of the plant are very strong and they store the starches, proteins, and other nutrients that are necessary to keep the plant alive.

Genetically Modified organism

Genetically modified organisms, GMO's, have been on the rise lately because big companies want to make their food taste better and they want to produce more without having to make any major changes. Milk is a good example of a GMO because the cows that produce the milk are fed genetically modified food. Growth hormones are also given to some animals so they can produce more product. This has been banned in many countries because it is a type of torture towards the animals and it is not entirely safe for humans to consume.

Lipid Used for Energy Storage

Lipids can usually be classified as having high energy hydrophobic molecules. A lipid's main function is energy storage. Butter is an example of a lipid that is used for energy storage. Once the body has broken down the nutrients from the butter, they are then used to supply the body with energy to live. Lipids used for energy storage are also known as triglycerides. Triglycerides are the main components of body and animal fat, which can again be broken down and used for energy.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Cambium

This are the rings of the inside of a tree. The inside of a tree is an example of cambium. Cambium is a cellular plant tissue which grows layers of phloem, xylem, or cork by division. This growth promotes stem widening, or growth in diameter which is why it is most common in woody trees. Cambium also works to repair damage to a part of the plant, mostly in woody plants. The repair then promotes new cells to grow in the damaged area. Cambium is essentially the targeted repair-man of some plants and trees. It can sometimes last the whole lifetime of a plant/tree!

Hydrophobic


Hydrophobic structures act just as their name says, they're scared of water! Because they are a nonpolar substance, they cannot mix with water, which is polar. Oil is a good example of a nonpolar/hydrophobic substance because it separates when added to water. This in turn creates a suspension between the water  and the oil, which is insoluble.

Hydrophilic

Hydrophilic structures have the tendency to mix with and sometimes dissolve in water. Cotton is a great example of a hydrophilic structures because when it comes in contact with water, it immediately soaks it up. Cell membranes and sugar are also good examples of hydrophilic structures because they either accept water into their cells, making a porous membrane, or they dissolve in water by dissociating in water by splitting their cells.

Homologous Structures

Homologous structures are parts of the body that are similar to those of other organisms and are used for a similar purpose. This is the leg of a dog, which is used for propulsion when walking or running as well as for balance. This is similar to the leg of a cat, tiger, or wolf. This similarity in structure and in purpose most likely means that these animals are related in some way. Unlike analogous structures, which evolved differently but are used similarly, homologous structures evolved and are used similarly. This is an example of divergent evolution.

Hermaphrodite



Sea bass are an example of an animal that can be classified as both female and male, or hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites have both male and female genitalia, which makes it easier to find a partner. A hermaphrodite is formed when two opposite sex fertilized eggs bond together. The ability to reproduce as both a male or a female can be an advantage in environments when the population is scarce. Humans, earthworms, and other fish can be hermaphrodites as well.

Gymnosperm cone

Pinecones represent a gymnosperm cone. Gymnosperms are a vascular plant that produce seeds that are not protected by a fruit or ovary. Conifers, plants that produce the cones, can make either male of female seeds. The male cone holds the pollen, which is then transported by insects, bees, or the wind. The female cones then receives the pollen, which contains the sperm that will fertilize the egg. Pinecones are an example of the seeds that are produces after this process.

Frond

Ferns are an example of a frond. Fronds are a leaf like structure on some non-vascular plants. They are commonly found on ferns, cycads and palms. Fronds act as a major organ for ferns and have vascular tissue with leaf blades and a stalk. Fronds are specifically helpful when carrying out photosynthesis and reproduction. The reproductive structures of fronds are known as spores and are often protected by a thin layer of tissue.

Ethylene

This is an apple. An apple is an example of a fruit that gives off ethylene. Ethylene is a plant growing or ripening substance. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon that acts as a hormone that promotes ripening. It is commonly organically found on ripe bananas and can sometimes produce a smell that lets you know that the fruit is ready to eat. Ethylene works against auxin which promotes root growth because it promotes plant aging.

Endotherm

This is a cat. A cat represents an endotherm. Endotherms are also known as warm-blooded animals. Unlike ectotherms, they can generate their own heat no matter the conditions of their environment. If their bodily temperature decreases, the metabolism speeds up to generate heat, or the body starts to shiver which has the same effect. Birds and mammals are examples of endotherms. Cats and other animals have the ability to regulate their own temperature which is different for each animal. Cats have a normal temperature that ranges from 110.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, while for humans it ranges around 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Endosperm

This is corn. Corn is an example of an endosperm. Endosperm is a nutritive tissue surrounding the embryo within seeds of flowering plants. The silk in ears of corn allows the embryo to grow without being damaged while providing the necessary nutrients from water and the sun. Endosperm can be found in peas, beans, and wheat. Sometimes the endosperm can be totally absorbed by the time the plant is mature. The endosperm provides the embryo with nutrients from starch, oils, and proteins.

Ectotherm

This is a snake. Snakes and other reptiles are examples of ectotherms. Ectotherms are not warm blooded organisms, so they depend on external sources of heat to survive. Many reptiles use the sun to warm themselves when they are too cold, and they seek shade when they are too hot. Many ectotherms go into a type of hibernation called "topor" when they get too cold. This allows the animal to slow its metabolism in order to conserve energy and heat. They have a harder time regulating their body temperature since it is totally dependent on their environment.

Detritivore

These are mushrooms. Mushrooms are an example of a detritivore. Detritivores are heterotrophs that feed off of other dead organisms. Detritivores consume decaying plant and animal parts, as well as fecal matter. They play an important role in our environment because they find a use for decaying matter that would otherwise take up space. Detrivores are at the bottom of the trophic pyramid because they do not survive from photosynthesis and they are not mobile.

CAM Plant

This is a pineapple. A pineapple is an example of  a CAM plant. CAM stands for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. CAM plants can withstand high temperatures, low moisture, and intense sunlight. CAM plants minimize photorespiration and save water by separating steps in time. CAM plants sometimes grow slowly because their vacuole can only hold so much malate, which adds to the flavor of the fruit. They often open their stomatas during the nighttime and close them during the day. They often have a waxy coating in order to prevent evaporation from their skin.

C4 Plant

This is a picture of an ear of corn. Corn is an example of a C4 plant. Unlike, C3 plants, C4 plants prefer hot and dry climates. C4 plants are more efficient at gathering carbon dioxide from the air and the soil. The process of photosynthesis between C3 and C4 plants differs in the aspect of their efficiency. They are more efficient because they live in harsher environments.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

C3 Plant

This is a picture of a C3 plant. Rice is an example of product from a C3 plant. Because rice plants thrive in cool, wet climates, they are classified as C3 Plants. C3 plants keep their stomata open during the day if the weather is cool and wet, but they close it during hot or dry days in order to sustain the water. C3 plants are popular in the tropics because the climate is very wet. C3 photosynthesis is the most common type.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Anther and Filament of a Stamen

This is a picture of a flower's stamen. The flower's stamen also includes the anther and the filament. The stamen as a whole is known as the male reproductive part of the flower. The anther and filament of the stamen are very important structures of a flower. The stamen is the pollen producing part of the flower and it is made up of the anther and the filament. The filament is the long, stalk-like structure that supports the anther. The anther develops the male gametophyte, or pollen. This part of the flower is crucial because it allows pollen to be made and then used to grow/sustain other flowers.

Analogous structures

This is a picture of fish. Fish fins are an example of an analogous structure. Analogous structures can be found in species such as bats, whales, fish, and penguins. All of these animals have a similar structure in their anatomy, their wings/fins/flippers. However, these animals are in no way related. This similarity is most likely because these animals live in similar environments. Analogous structures are structures that evolved independently but are used for similar purposes. These structures are examples of convergent evolution, where two different species evolve separately but do it for a similar purpose. In fish and whales, they evolved separately, but their fins/flippers are very similar (despite their size) because they are used for the same purpose.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Amniotic egg

This is a picture on a chicken's egg. A chicken's egg is an example of an amniotic egg. Some animals give birth to eggs instead of having a live birth like humans. This allows that embryo to grow inside of the egg while it is growing, and once it has matured, it breaks the shell. Amnion is a fluid that is inside of the egg that protects the embryo until it is ready to hatch. Reptiles, birds and some mammals are examples of animals that are surrounded by an amniotic egg before they are hatched.

Adaption of a Plant

This is a picture of a cactus. Cacti represent an example of an adaption of a plant. Plants adapt to their environments just as animals would. Plants that live in extreme environments, such as the desert or the Artic, must learn to store nutrients and water for times when they are not available. Cacti are a good example of a plant that has adapted over time because they store water in their roots. Another example of how they have changed over time, is by growing sharp, pointy, and sometimes poisonous spurs on their bodies to protect themselves from humans or animals. These strategies are mainly used in order to keep birds from landing on them and stealing their stored water.

Adaption of an Animal

This is a picture of a chameleon. The chameleon represents an adaption of an animal. Animals adapt to their environments in order to survive their predators, live longer, blend in, or to store supplies within their bodies for period of time. Chameleons are an example of an animal that adapts to its environment because their skin changes colors. They change colors in order to blend into their surroundings, when they are exposed to certain light, or when they want to display their reactions/emotions towards other animals. This ability evolved over time as a means to protect the animal, otherwise known as an adaption.

Modified root of a plant

Carrots are an example of a modified root of a plant because they grow underground. They do this in order to protect themselves from being...