Natalie Yancey Photos 21-30

Autotrophs- An autotroph is an organism that makes its own food. Plants are the world’s most common form of autotrophs. The take energy from the sun and use it to create sugars among other things to feed them. The plant featured in the photo is an autotroph!

. Radial symmetry- Radial symmetry is found in organisms centered on a make-believe axis. If one were to divide an organism with radial symmetry, each part would be equal. Starfish are one of natures beautiful organisms with radial symmetry.

Exoskeleton- An animal with an exoskeleton has a hard exterior skeleton such as the shell of a sea urchin. The exoskeleton serves as a form of protection for the animal living inside it. The sea urchin exoskeleton is from my shell collection

. Endosperm- An endosperm is the tissue inside of a seed, during fertilization. Much like an embryotic sac the endosperm surrounds the embryo as a form of nutrients and protection. As seen in the photo is a palm tree that eventually will produce coconuts that will have endosperm tissue.

Genetically modified organism- Genetically modified organisms are organisms that have been altered by unnatural means not just natural selection, such as corn. Some engineered corn is more resistant to drought. They have been genetically modified for our convenience.

 Charophytes are the first plant division that may be most similar to the ancient water dwelling plants. They are multi cellular green algae. This is a picture of fresh water pond. There are probably charophytes living in the shallow fresh water around the edges of this pond in Allyn. They get all their requirements to survive in the surrounding water they live in.

Bryophytes are plants that do not have rigid support tissues. They must grow close to the ground. They also are non-vascular. Mosses make up the bryophyte plant division. This is a picture of a common green moss found growing on moist areas such as the trunk of this gravenstein apple tree.

Pteridophhytes are plants that have water conduction cells of vascular tissue. They also have lignin support tissue and grow upright. Two examples are ferns (picture 1) and horsetails (picture 2) Both of these pteridophytes were growing on the side of a rural road where it is moist and shady.

Gymnosperms are plants that have tiny gamephytes, produce pollen and seeds. The seeds live in a protected cone. All conifers are in this plant division. This tall pine tree is an example of a gamephytes.

The fifth plant division is the angiosperms. They are the large category of plants that flower. The reproductive structures are within the flower. In this picture of a hibiscus you can see the stamen and at the tip; the anther. The anther produces pollen.