Saturday, September 3, 2016

Bilateral Symmetry



     This is a picture of an endangered animal named the "Rhinoceros Iguana." This iguana showcases an example of bilateral symmetry. Bilateral symmetry is a characteristic in which the individual,if split across the central axis, would be divided into two identical planes or parts. This iguana would have alike halves when parted from is central axis.

Epithelial Tissue



     This picture contains two common toads. The skin on these toads are examples of epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue encases the outside of the body and seperates the cavities, vessels, and organs. Epithelial tissue protects and aids selective absortion as well as sensors. On these toads, the slippery and rubbery skin on their body is composed of epithelial tissue which protects the inside of their bodies. 

Exoskeleton



     This is a picture of a timber rattlesnake and its shell. The shell of the rattlesnake is an example of an exoskeleton. An exoskeleton is a skeleton or covering on the outside of an animal's body whose function is to support and protect the animal. The timber rattlesnake's shell is the exoskeleton that the snake has shed through a natural process called "molting" to help with the growth process. The previous exoskeleton (shell) is no longer fit for use and a new exoskeleton has generated on the snake to support its developing body.

K- Strategist



     This is a picture of several goats. These goats serve as examples of K-Strategists. A K-strategist is a species that reproduce varyingly based on the carrying capacity (K) of the environment in which they thrive. These goats have a population that is limited to several goats instead of groups because that is what suits their environment in its carrying capacity, otherwise, there would be an overflux. 

Introduced Species



     This is a picture of the exotic "Southern Ground Hornbill." This hornbill is an example of introduced species. An introduced species, like its name suggests, is a species that has been transported away from its native environment to a foreign one by any means. Here, this hornbill is introduced at a zoo in New York  and was not originally from this environment, rather it is a native of Africa.

Ectotherm



     This is a striking "Philippine Sailfin Lizard." This lizard is an admirable example of an ectotherm. An ectotherm, or cold-blooded animal, is an animal that is incapable of supplying body heat on its own and relies on its environment instead; this could be rock heat, sunlight or other external sources. This lizard relies on warm climates for his body temperature regulation, and its glass home is set to a sufficiently warm temperature for this reason. Had it been in the wild, the lizard would be most likely survive in rainforests or other biomes of the sort. 

Adaptation of An Animal



     This an image of a common meerkat. This meerkat contains the example of an adaptation of an animal. An adaptation of an animal is a change in an animal's physiology (genetically) to cope more efficiently with its habitat. Particularly, the meerkat's eyes have developed a black mask around them to protect its eyes from the constant glare of the sun in its South African, arid drylands. In addition, the eyes have a protective membrane on the outside to serve as protection from the dirt that is blown onto its surface during burrowing, an essential part of a meerkat's nature and life. 

Commensalism



     This a picture of an epiphyte tree. This tree is an example of commensalism. Commensalism describes a relationship between two species in which one species utilizes the other for its benefits without affecting the second species in any way. The epiphyte tree has a plant that is growing on it and using it for physical support, but this is not harming or nourishing the tree in any way. 

Heterotrophy



     This is a picture of a "Flemish Giant Rabbit." This rabbit contains an example of heterotrophy. Heterotrophy is a classification in which an organism attains their nutritional values from complex and organic matter. The rabbit is consuming a mixture of complex and organic substances such as carrots and leaves to fulfill its nutrition, hence, it is exhibiting heterotrophy. 

Genetic Variation Within A Population




     This picture contains "African Rift Lake fish" or, "African Cichlids." African Cichlids are examples of genetic variation within a population. Genetic variation within a population described natural mutations or variations in genes of individual carriers of the same species resulting in a diverse population. These African Cichlids can be physically evidenced of the genetic variations within their species just by their colors and shapes; the population is a mix of unique fish with the same roots.

Vestigial Structures



     This is a picture of a glorious male emu. An emu is an example of an animal that contains vestigial structures. A vestigial structure is a structure found in an organism that has lost most or all of its function over hundreds of years of evolution. In this case, the emu's vestigial structures are its little tiny wings.  The wings on this emu had the primary function of flight a long time ago when its ancestors existed. Over time, the second- largest bird evolved and spend its time on land, thus, having no reason for flight; it is why the wings can no longer sustain flight. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Analogous Structures


Duck
Mosquito
     In the top picture, a duck is shown. Whereas, the bottom  picture shows a mosquito. The wings of the duck and mosquito are examples of analogous structures. Analogous structures are those structures that strike similarity in appearance, function, or arrangement. However, those pertaining animals have evolved independent of the other and have contrasting ancestors. The duck and mosquito both have wings which are structurally alike and the same goes for their purpose: flight. That being said, the duck and mosquito are different species and do not retain a common ancestor.

Stigma and Style of Carpel




     This is a picture of a white flower. It contains an example of the stigma and style of a carpel. A carpel is a long figure that serves as the reproductive system  in the center of a flower. In the carpel, there is a stigma which is a sticky tip. The stigma is where pollen is released from a pollinator for fertilization. A style of a carpel is the narrow stalk in the center connecting the flower ovary to the stigma, encompassing the major length of the carpel. It serves as the pathway for fertilization as the pollen tubes dwindle down sperm cells to the egg in the ovary. In this case, the white stalk in the middle fo the flower is the style  and the dark tip of the carpel is the stigma.

Cambium



      This is a portion of a tree that has been partially sawed off. This portion of the tree contains an example of cambium. Cambium is a collage of meristem cells that surround the stem of a plant and through this tissue phloem, xylem, or cork generate by dividing. This division can account for additional thickening in woody plants/ trees. The cambium on this portion of the tree is distinctly shown as the brown outline or border between the secondary thickening and the major wood.

Cuticle Layer of Plant



    This is an ordinary plant and its corresponding leaves. The plant's leaf is an example of a cuticle layer of a plant. A cuticle layer of the plant is the outermost covering that preserves the plant and guards it. This layer is usually made up of lipid and wax. On this leaf, there is a waxy thin layer that serves as protection for the plant.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Seed Dispersal



     This delicate plant is called a dandelion. This dandelion is an example of seed dispersal. Seed dispersal is any type of forced departure of a seed from its parent flower, whether it be an animal, water, or wind etc. The dandelion has seeds that were blown away by the wind and some by the aid of my hand movement, thus, showing seed dispersal.

Endotherm



     This feline creature is better known as a cat. This cat is an example of an endotherm. An endotherm is an animal that possesses the aptitude and necessity to generate internal heat with no dependence on external environmental factors. Endotherms are also regarded as " warm-blooded animals." This cat creates internal body heat to survive and does not rely on the environment outside to carry out this action. 

Ethylene



     These are a bunch of delectable and fairly sweet bananas. This bunch is an example of a plant that contains ethylene. Ethylene is a plant hormone that advocates several actions such as development, senescence and deterioration of dormancy, fruit ripening, and epinasty.The bananas showcased show the sign of ethylene as the color of the fruit transitions from green to yellow and ripens the fruit, making it sweeter. 

Auxin Producing Area of A Plant



     Behold, four different stages of flower blossoming taking place in this purple rose. This flowering plant exhibits many auxin producing areas of a plant. Auxin producing areas of a plant are those portions in a plant that simply form the plant hormone, auxin. Auxin is credited with the stimulation of cell elongation in certain areas of a plant. These areas include the stem, bud, and even root tips. For this exhibit, the auxin producing areas seen are in the bud area (green wrap encasing premature roses), where flowers are growing out from, and from the stem tips, causing elongation. In this picture, an underground view is not provided, so the auxin area in the roots is not displayed.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Animal That Has A Segmented Body



     In my hand, there is a tiny ant crawling. This diminutive ant is an example of an animal that has a segmented body. An animal that has a segmented body is one whose body is divided into a series of similar planes or portions. The ant showcased here has three main body segments including its head(beginning), thorax (middle), and abdomen (larger end.)

Modified Stem of A Plant



     This is a grapevine that has latched on to a wooden fence. A grapevine is an example of a modified stem of a plant. A modified stem of a plant is a stem that has been altered  over time to grow in another manner for a particular purpose. These purposes can be for defensive reasons or for objective reasons. In this case, the grapevine has stems that grow from the ground and extend in a curling manner to drape itself vertically/ horizontally on a solid surface. This helps the grapes receive adequate sunlight, room for growth, and  ground - danger prevention.

Autotroph




     On this magnificent tree, there are green algae present on the bark. This alga is an example of an autotroph. An autotroph is an independent organism that is capable of creating essential organic substances derived from inorganic substances. For example, the algae create their nutritional needs from the inorganic substance, carbon dioxide.

Hermaphrodite



     Here we have a beautiful rose. This rose is an example of a hermaphrodite. A hermaphrodite is any living being that acquires both male and female sexual organs and/ or characteristics. In this case, a rose is a plant that has both a male stamen and a female stigma in the center. These characteristics make it very plausible for an egg fertilization to take place within the flower's pollen.

C4 Plant


     This is a picture of wire grass. Wire grass is an example of a C4 plant. A C4 plant is one that converts carbon dioxide into a compound including four carbon atoms; this process takes place before the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. Generally, these plants are a perfect fit for a warm and dry climates. 

C3 Plant

     In this picture, an evergreen plant is presented. It is an example of a C3 plant. A C3 plant is one that converts carbon dioxide into a compound that includes three carbon atoms; this process takes place before the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. Typically, these plants are best suited for cool and humid climates.