Bilateral Symmetry: Can be divided into symmetrical halves. This lead is an example of bilateral symmetry because each side is identical, making the leaf symmetrical. |
Endotherm: An animal can generate its own heat, in others words a warm blooded animal. A cat is an example of an endotherm, for it is not dependent on external sources of body heat. |
Modified Stem: A specialized or transformed stem, such as the stem of this rose. It has thorns to prevent animals from eating it. |
Phloem: Vascular tissue in plants that transports sugars and metabolic products down from the leaves. There is phloem in the trunk of this tree. |
Xylem: Vascular tissue in plants that transports water and dissolved nutrients up from the roots. There is xylem in the stem shown. |
Radial Symmetry: Symmetry around a central axis, such as this lemon. Instead of having symmetrical halves it has an axis in the center. |
Amniotic Egg: Eggs with a water resistant amniotic membrane. Chickens lay amniotic eggs, such as the one shown here. |
Lichen: An organism composed of a fungus in symbiotic union with algae. An example of a lichen is moss. |
Pollen: A fine powder which produces male gametes, in other words, sperm cells. This pumpkin flower has pollen on its stamen. |
Frond: The leaf of a fern, palm, or similar plant. This is an example of the frond of a fern. |
Seed Dispersal (wind): How seeds are moved or transported from the parent plant. In this example, the seeds were blown away by the wind, and clustered on this bench. |
Ectotherm: Animals who depend on external sources of body heat, or cold blooded animals. Insects fit this description, making them ectotherms. |
Canbium: Cellular plant tissue in which xylem/phloem/cork grows by division. This results in secondary tissues. This stump has a layer of canbium. |
Population: A group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place. An example of this is the same species of tree growing in my yard. |
Mycorrhizae: A fungus that grows with the roots of a plant in a symbiotic relationship, such as a mushroom at the base of a tree. |
Niche: The particular role of an organism in its environment. This rose photosynthesizes, providing oxygen. |
Parasitism: A relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed. The ivy on this tree weighs it down and can break off bark, so only the ivy is benefitting from the relationship. |
Endosperm: A part of a seed which stores food for the plant embryo. There is endosperm inside of the tomato seeds. |
Long Day Plant: A plant that only flowers after being exposed to light for long periods of time. Lettuce grows under these conditions; it is an example of a long day plant. |
Genetically Modified Organism: An organism whose genetics have been altered, such as rice. It has been engineered for faster growth and production of more nutrients. |
ATP: ATP, or Adenosine-5'-triphosphate, transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism. This cat is eating food to get energy. |
Homeostasis: A system that regulates its internal environment, maintaining consistent properties like temperature. Endotherms such as my sister use homeostasis to generate heat. |
Modified Leaf: A leaf modified for a certain situation, one with functions other than photosynthesize. This leaf is thorny and prickly to discourage animals from eating it. |