An autotroph is a self-sustaining organism that produces compounds such as carbohydrates and proteins from its surroundings. They utilize natural energy sources such as the sun in order to produce their own nutrients by means of processes such as photosynthesis. Also known as a "producer", autotrophs are a crucial part of all food chains, providing energy for much larger consumers. Many plants, algae, and some bacteria are categorized as autotrophic.
2.) Ectotherm
An ectotherm is an organism that relies on an outside source for heat. Known much more commonly as being "cold-blooded," these animals have no other means of regulating their body temperature and rely on other sources of heat for energy. My bearded dragon Walt is an ectotherm because she, yes she, relies on a heat lamp in order to regulate her body temperature and spends most of her time basking in it.
3.) Endotherm
The opposite of an ectotherm, an endotherm is an organism that regulates its own body temperature by use of internal function rather than relying upon ambient heat sources. Also known as "warm-blooded," endotherms have adapted to rely upon themselves as a source of heat, as they mantain a constant internal temperature, and have created mechanisms to combat extreme temperatures such as sweating and shivering. Dogs, such as my labrador Koka, are endothermic organisms.
4.) Amniotic Egg
An amniotic egg is an egg produced by organisms such as birds and reptiles. This egg is specifically an organic chicken's egg, which I handled myself. Nonetheless, the purpose of the amniotic egg is to both protect and further develop the inner embryo. If this egg had been fertilized and I had not taken it, then it would have potentially hatched into a chick. There are numerous layers of an amniotic egg, such as the shell, yolk, amnion, and numerous membranes, which all serve purpose to protect the inner embryo.
5.) Angiosperm
Angiosperms are also known more commonly as flowering plants. They are the most diverse kind of land plants and are seed producing. Agriculturally, the world is almost entirely dependent upon angiosperms, due to the need of plant based food for all livestock.
6.) Animal with a Segmented Body
12.) Cuticle Layer of a Plant
13.) Seed Dispersion
14.) Eukaryote
15.) Exoskeleton
17.) Genetic Variation Within a Population
18.) Flower Ovary
19.) Territorial Behavior
23.) K-Strategist
6.) Animal with a Segmented Body
Dragonflies are examples of an animal with a segmented body. Like most other insects, the dragonfly has a head, thorax, and a segmented abdomen. In addition to these basic parts, they also have compound eyes relatively massive to their body that allow them to see from numerous different perspectives that most insects would otherwise be unable to, allowing them to see prey and escape predators easily.
7.) C3 Plant
This apple tree is an example of a C3 plant. Most plants are C3 plants, and are found in sunny areas, but not arid or sweltering areas such as a desert. The first step of carbon fixation in C3 plants is also the first step of the Calvin cycle, in which these plants fix carbon dioxide into a three carbon atom before further undergoing photosynthesis.
8.) Anther & Filament of a Stamen
The anther and filament are found in all pollinating plants. The entire compound is called the stamen, where the anther produces pollen and the filament supports the pollen producing anther. Pollen remains here until a pollinator arrives to transport the pollen from one plant to another, fertilizing plants in the process.
9.)Parasitism
Fungi and Bacteria are very common parasites in the animal kingdom, as they overtake most everything and sustain themselves off a host organism. The tree this fungus has attached itself to has noticeably decayed as result of the parasite's influence on it.
10.)Predation
Predation is the biological definition of when a predator feeds upon its prey. In this case, Sid, my African Side-Necked turtle, preys upon some feeder fish. In a natural environment, Sid would feed itself almost entirely off of small fish, but thanks to human intervention, he can eat much easier.
11.) Pollinator
Bees are prime examples of a common pollinators, as they are probably the most recognized and abundant pollinators in the animal kingdom. The animal kingdom depends on bees to spread pollen from plant to plant, fertilizing numerous flowers and supplying themselves with nutrients at the same time. This relationship is beneficial to both parties and is one of many naturally occurring relations in the animal kingdom.
The cuticle layer of a plant is the waxy outer layer of a plants leaves and stems. This rhododendron is a perfect example of this due to the noticeable sheen of the plants leaves. This protective layer prevents a plant from losing water and potentially dying as well.
Seed dispersion is when a plant relies upon an outside force to transport its seeds. This particular breed of dogwood's seed's grow on the outside of its fruit, once the fruit becomes ripe enough, the seeds are easily detached, and can be taken by the wind quite easily and can be taken by the wind, pollinators, or even animals simply passing by.
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells have a nucleus as well as other organelles enclosed within a cellular membrane. Most larger organisms are eukaryotic, as animals plants and fungi are all eukaryotes. Smaller organisms such as bacteria are prokaryotic, and do not have a nucleus and if they do, their cells lack a membrane or other various organelles.
An exoskeleton is a protective shell on the outer layer of many animals that serves as protection against both naturally occurring dangers as well as predators. In contrast to an endoskeleton, which most other mammals have, meaning an inner skeleton. Some animals have both such as turtles. Many insects and crustaceans have exoskeletons and date back to prehistoric eras.
16.) Lichen
Lichens are a sort of fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with many trees and other plants. The result is the flaky almost colorless fungi that appears on the outer layer of all plants. They appear in even the most extreme environments, such as deserts and tundras, but only in different forms. They are very common in average to temperate climates.
Both of these begonias are exactly alike, except for one striking difference, and that is their color. They are the same string of plant, and have no other noticeable difference, but one plant has purely white flowers and the other has light pink flowers. The reason for this
The flower ovary is the female reproductive organ within a flower. The ovary itself is within the pistil and contains ovules which await fertilization whether it be from male plants or pollinators.
Territorial behavior occurs when an organism designates a specific area as belonging to them and is not afraid to defend their area from potential threats and invaders. My dog, Koka, finds it necessary to bark at all other dogs which pass by our home due to her territorial behavior.
20.) Redox Reaction
Redox reactions occur during the exchange of electrons during reduction and oxidation. Candles are the perfect example of a redox reaction as they use combustion to transfer electrons with the by-products of heat and light.
21.) Hydrophobic
If something is hydrophobic, then it does not have an affinity for water. In fact, it usually will repel water instead, quite the opposite of hydrophilic organisms. This plant clearly does not have an affinity for water, as water simply pools up on its leaves.
22.) C4 Plant
C4 plants fixate carbon quite differently than c3 plants. A C4 plant, such as this crab grass, is named for the 4 carbon molecule involved in the first stages of carbon fixation, as opposed to the 3 carbon molecule in the first step of c3 plants. C4 plants are simply a variation of the more common c3 carbon fixation and are believed by many scientists to have evolved quite recently.
K-strategists have very few offspring, long periods of pregnancy and parental care, and also have long periods of time until the offspring reach sexual matury. K-strategists usually have larger body size and longer life expectancy. Birds are just one example of K-strategist organisms.
24.) Negative Feedback
Negative feedback is a self-regulating function that produces stability and reduces fluctuations. Unlike positive feedback which increases output in organisms, negative feedback reduces output. One such example of negative feedback in living organisms is sweating to prevent overheating.
25.) Fermentation
Fermentation occurs when sugars age and eventually convert themselves into a totally different subject, such as acids or alcohol. When apple juice is left to age, it will become bitter and very acidic. I believe it actually becomes a form of alcohol.
26.) Enzyme
Enzymes are highly selective catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions. One such common enzyme is found in any household cleaner or detergent, which increases the cleaning reaction, allowing them to be so useful for removing stains and smears from clothing and fabrics.
27.) R-Strategist
R-strategists are the opposite of K-strategists in the essence that they produce numerous offspring in hopes that a few will survive and mature. They are the exact opposite of K-strategists, for they have short periods of pregnancy and parental care, and short periods of time until the offspring reach sexual matury. They reproduce very quickly in an effort to increase their population.
28.) Eubacteria
Eubacteria, such as the eubacteria found in Greek yogurt, are very helpful bacteria. Thousands of bacteria exist within a humans digestive system in an effort to aid the process of digestion
29.) Spore
Spores are reproductive cells produced by many fungi, certain plants and some bacteria. Spores are very resilient to temperature and chemicals, meaning that even if something destroys their host, the spores themselves will live on to grow.
30.) Gymnosperm
Gymnosperms are seed producing plants that essentially create "naked seeds" such as this pine cone. They are very unlike most flowering plants, which enclose their seeds within the flower ovary.
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