Biology Project

This is a picture taken of a zebra. The zebra, being surrounded by plants, is an example of coevolution. Coevolution is the evolution of two or more species, where one depends on another. The herbivore and plant relationship is similar to a predator-prey relationship, one depends on the other for food. Zebras are herbivores, therefore, they need plants in order to survive.

This is a picture of a pine cone. Pine cones are an example of gymnosperm cones. Gymnosperm cones are a group of cones whose seeds aren't blocked by the ovule. They have no flowers or fruits. Pine cones close their scales to shield their seeds from colder weather, winds, and possible predators. They open up their scales to release their seeds when it is warmer and so it is easier for the seeds to germinate.

This is a picture of a banana. Bananas produce ethylene gas. Ethylene is a clear flammable gas acquired from natural gasses and petroleum. It also serves as a natural plant hormone used to combine or cut metal and ripen fruits. Since bananas produce ethylene gasses, they are capable of assisting certain fruits in riping or melting. Ethylene can cause fruits to change colors, smell, and taste.

This is a picture of two acorns. Acorns are an example of seed dispersal. Seed dispersal is the transfer of a seed from the original plant. Squirrels often bury acorns but forget where they place them, leaving the acorn to develop into a new plant.

This is a picture taken of several flamingos. These flamingos represent a population. A population is a group of the same species in a certain area. This group of flamingos was spotted in their exhibit at the Maryland Zoo. There is more than one animal in this exhibit, making it a population.

This is a picture taken of a turtle. Turtles are ectothermic. An ectotherm is an organism that relies on outer sources of body heat. Fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates are ectotherms. Turtles are cold-blooded, therefore, they aren't capable of warming themselves up in colder climates, causing them to migrate to warmer climates.

This is a picture of my cat. Cats are endothermic. An endotherm is an organism that can keep its body a favored temperature. They are warmed-blooded. Mammals and birds are endothermic. Cats don't have to rely on their environment in order to keep themselves warm. Their inner body temperature is something they can manage on their own.

This is a picture of my dog. My dog's legs represent a homologous structure. Homologous structures are organs/skeletal features of organisms that based on their similarities, it seems as if there is shared ancestry The structures don't always look completely the same or work in the same way. The leg of a dog has similar traits with a human arm but are different and used differently from each other.

This is a picture taken of fish, which are examples of r-strategists. R-strategists have a lot of offspring, but lack longevity. They often breed at young ages. Fish lay multiple eggs at once and smaller fish have a lifespan of anywhere from 3 to 20 years depending on the the type of fish. For example, the Siamese fighting fish have the life expectancy of only 3-5 years.

This is a picture of a lion, which is an example of a eukaryote. Eukaryotes are organism whose cells have DNA in chromosome form and include a nucleus surrounded by membranes. Eukaryotes are all living organisms except for Bacteria and Archaea. Lions are made from eukaryotic cells, which obtain DNA, vacuoles, a nucleus, and centriole and is indeed a living organism.

This is a picture of a leaf. This leaf represents the cuticle layer of a plant.  The cuticle layer of a plant is a wax-like, water-resistant layer that covers the aboveground surfaces of any plant such as leaves and stems. It reduces the amount of escaping water from the leaf. This leaf has a shiny layer that is placed over the epidermal cells in order to prevent as much water as possible to leak.

This is a picture of penguins. Penguins' wings are an example of a vestigial structure. Vestigial structures are structures that have non-obvious functions and only appear due to being parts of their ancestors. Penguins have wings, but they can't fly. Instead, they use their wings to swim.

This is an image of an elephant. An elephant is an example of a k-strategist. A k-strategist are typically larger, stronger species with longer life expectancies. They tend to reproduce slowly but reproduce with higher likelihoods of survival. Elephants develop slowly. The pregnancy of female elephants lasts for over a year and a half. Once born, they care for the infants for several years, to make sure the infant is prepared to survive. They have a slow reproductive rate, a long lifespan, competitiveness, and large body size, and good care for their infants.

This is a picture taken of some prairie dogs. Prairie dogs represent a keynote species. Keynote species are species that have a great impact on an ecosystem. If they were to be removed, that ecosystem would be gravely impacted. Prairie dogs provide food for predators, a shelter for similar tunneling animals, and when they dig they allow the soil to become fertile, letting seeds germinate.