Nicole's Scavenger Hunt

 1. Pollen: Pollen is a fine powdery substance produced by the anthers of plants with seeds. It is made up of fine grains containing the male gametes. Pollen is the fertilizing element of flowering plant, and is utilized to pollinate other plants. Pollen is formed in the anther and is transported by wind, water, insects, and other means to the pistil. The pistil is the female structure where fertilization occurs. This picture shows the pollen that was wiped from the inside of my car. 

 2. Lichen: Lichen is the symbiotic association of a fungus and algae or cyanobacterium. The fungal component absorbs water and nutrients from its surroundings. It protects and provides a suitable environment for the algae or cyanobacterium. Lichens may form a crustlike, thin, and tightly bound covering over a solid surface. They also may be small and leafy with loose attachments. This picture shows a tightly bound covering of lichen on a maple tree. 

3. Hydrophobic:  Hydrophobic means that a substance repels water. It will not combine with water or dissolve in water. Due to its lack of affinity for water, a hydrophobic substance will not absorb water. This picture shows oil. It is hydrophobic because it does not mix with water, it will sit on top of the water. 

 4. Pollinator: A pollinator is an insect or animal that carries pollen from one plant to another. Pollination ensures that a plant will produce viable fruits and seeds. A pollinator moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish fertilization. Examples of pollinators are bees, birds, bats, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, beetles, the wind, water and other animals.

                              
5. Endotherm: An endotherm maintains a constant body temperature independent of the environment. Endotherms are warm-blooded organisms including birds and other mammals, as well as some fish. If the heat loss in an endotherm exceeds the generation of heat, metabolism increases to compensate for the loss. The endotherm will begins to shiver to help raise its body temperature. If heat generation exceeds the heat loss, the endotherm will pant or sweat to increase heat loss. This is a picture of my dog, Brady. He is an endotherm because he maintains a constant body temperature.

 6. Gymnosperm: A gymnosperm is a vascular plant that reproduces by means of an exposed seed. The seeds grow in cones and are not visible. The seeds are not enclosed within an ovary. During pollination, male gametes fall in the cones scales and land directly on the ovules that contain the female gamete. Examples of gymnosperms are conifers, cycad, and ginkgo. In this picture is a pine cone which I found in New Hampshire. A pine cone is an example of a gymnosperm because it has exposed seeds. 

                              
7. Cuticle Layer of a Plant: A cuticle layer of a plant is a non-cellular protective layer covering outer cell layer of a leaf. It is the layer of an organism that comes in contact with the environment. This layer contains cutin and protects against water loss, water gain and other damage. This layer is waxy and contributes to the protection of the plant against bacteria and insects. This picture shows the cuticle layer of a leaf. 

8. Hydrophilic: Hydrophilic is the term used to describe a substance with a strong affinity for water. It is a antonym of the term hydrophobic. Hydrophilic substances tend to dissolve in and mix with water. These substances are capable of interacting with water due to hydrogen bonding. This picture shows cotton; water is very attracted to it making it hydrophilic. 

                          

9. Homologous structures: A homologous structure is an organ or bone that appears in different animals but seem to be descendant from a common ancestor. The organ or bone appears to be very similar and the function and form seem to be related. A human hand and a dogs paw are pictured above, they are considered homologous structures. My dogs paw is used to assist him in walking, while my hand does not help me in that way. Although they have very different functions, a human hand and a dog's paw are very similar and share a common ancestor. 

10. Amniotic Egg: Turtles, lizards, birds, and other mammals all produce amniotic eggs. Inside the egg are fluid-filled membranes that permit an embryo to survive. These membranes include the amnion, allantois, yolk sac, and chorion. The amnion is filled with amniotic fluid. It surrounds, protects, and provides a stable environment for the embryo. The allantois provides gas diffusion and removal of wastes. The yolk sac provides food for the embryo. The chorion gives the embryo an overall enclosure in the egg. The outer shell protects the whole egg and embryo. It prevents drying while still letting air pass through and reach the young inside the egg. This picture shows a chicken's egg; this egg is an example of an amniotic egg. 

11. Epithelial Tissue: Epithelial tissue encases the whole surface of the body. This tissue is made up of cells that are tightly packed and arranged in one or more layers. Epithelial tissue lines all the internal and external surfaces of the body. Epithelial tissue that is found on the inside surfaces of the body is known as endothelium. This type of tissue lies on a basement membrane. The basement membrane keeps the epithelial cells attached to whatever is under them. Epithelial tissue's functions are protection, secretion, excretion, and absorption. This picture shows the epithelial tissue that covers the whole surface of my body. 

12. Autotroph: An autotroph is an organism that can make its own food to survive via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They make nutritious organic molecules from inorganic sources. An autotroph is eaten, but never eats anything itself. An autotroph uses light and chemical energy to generate its own food for survival. Green plants, algae, and some bacteria are considered autotrophs. An autotroph is capable of self-nourishment. This Black-Eyed-Susan flowering plant is an autotroph because of its ability to preform photosynthesis. 

13. Population: A population is a group of individuals from the same species that occupies the same geographical area. Populations, such as this population of four-leafed clovers, can be very small and isolated. The population could also be more spread out, without a clear boundary between them and other populations. Within a specific population organisms interbreed and live in the same place at the same time. Pictured above is a population of four-leafed clovers that occupy a small area in my backyard. 

14. Bilateral Symmetry: Bilateral symmetry occurs when an organism's left and right sides can be divided into mirror images of each other. The organism must be able to be divided into two equal halves along a central axis. Many animals have a body form that is considered symmetric. The butterfly pictured above has bilateral symmetry. if you were to divide the butterfly, it would create two halves that were exactly the same. 

15. Exoskeleton: An exoskeleton is a hard, protective structure that covers an organism's body. It also gives an organism external support. The exoskeletons of insects are usually made from chitin. In this picture, the Japanese beetle has a hard exoskeleton. The beetle uses the external skeleton to protect it's self in its environment. 

 16. Adaptation of a Plant: An adaptation is occurs when an organism is changed to become better suited to its environment. These alterations in structure or habits are usually hereditary.These adaptations in species or individuals help improve its condition in its environment. Plants must preform photosynthesis to survive. Photosynthesis requires light to correctly complete the process. An adaption a plant can have is big leaves. They utilize these big leaves, as pictured above, to soak up as much sunlight as they can. This allows plants to more quickly produce the food it needs to survive.  

 17. Heterotroph: A heterotroph is an organism that cannot synthesize its own food and is dependent on organic substances for nutrition. They can not manufacture their own food, and therefore usually obtains food and energy from plants or other animals. All animals, protozoans, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs. Due to them not producing their own energy, heterotrophs do not have the ability to act or function independently. As shown above, a dragonfly is a heterotroph. Since it can not produce its own food, it feeds on ants, termites, gnats, bees and other insects.

 18. CAM Plant: A CAM plant is any plant that undergoes a specific type of photosynthesis called crassulacean acid metabolism. During this process, carbon dioxide is taken in only at night. The carbon dioxide is then converted into organic acids to release carbon dioxide for the Calvin Cycle during the day. These CAM plants, such as the cactus above, are made to survive in arid conditions. 

 19. C4 Plant: C4 plants use a method of carbon dioxide uptake that forms a 4 carbon molecule for the Calvin Cycle. CO₂ is first fixed into a compound containing four carbon atoms. This is done before entering the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. Most C₄ plants have a special leaf anatomy in which vascular bundles are surrounded by bundle sheath cells. C4 plants are well adapted to high temperatures, intense sunlight, drought, and nitrogen or CO₂ limitation. Rice, pictured above, is one of the more common C_{4 plants.} 

20. Anther and Filament of a Stamen: A stamen of a flower is the male fertilizing organ that produces pollen. The filament is a slender threadlike fiber that holds up the anther. The anther is the part of the stamen that contains the pollen. In this picture you can clearly see the stalk of the filament and the anther attached to the top. A flower stamen needs both of these structures to successfully preform pollination. 

 21. Flower Ovary: The flower ovary is the female organ on a flower. The ovary is the portion of the pistil that houses ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.The ovary is found below the style, it is where a new plant begins to form. The major function of the flower ovary is to produce eggs, seeds, and fruits. The fruits they produce are important for protecting and dispersing the seeds. In the picture above, you can see the flower ovary at the base of the flower. 

22. Histamine: Histamine is a chemical that is found in some body cells. It causes many symptoms of allergies, like coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. When a persons body is allergic to a substance, histamine is released into the bloodstream. The histamine acts on a person's nose, eyes, throat, lungs and skin. That is when you notice allergy symptoms. This chemical found in the body is also present in many foods. When you ingest these foods, the body releases histamine. An example of a histamine rich food is an avocado. 

23. Stigma and Style: The stigma of a flower is the upper part of the pistil where pollen is deposited. The stigma is often sticky so the pollen can stick and attach itself. The style of a flower is the narrow and elongated stalk between he stigma and the ovary. The pollen tube grows in the style of the flower. In this picture, the style is the long stalk, and the stigma is at the top of the style. 

24. Angiosperm: An angiosperm is a flowering plant whose ovules are enclosed in an ovary. It is a seed-bearing plant whose ovary can develop into fruit after fertilization. Angiosperms are a division of vascular plants. Some examples are magnolias, roses, and daisies. Petunias, pictured above, are also examples of an angiosperm. 

25. Cellular Respiration: Cellular respiration is the process where chemical energy from food is converted to produce ATP. ATP provides energy for the processes of life. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are all fuels in cellular respiration. All living cells must carry out cellular respiration; in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria are the site of most of the reactions. Cellular respiration has three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and electron transport. During glycolysis, glucose is split into two molecules of a three carbon sugar. During the citric acid cycle, the two molecules of the three carbon sugar produced in glycolysis are converted to a different compound (acetyl CoA). In the last stage, electron transport, high energy electrons are passed to oxygen. In this process, ATP is ultimately produced. In the picture above, Teddy preforms cellular respiration to get the energy he needs to survive. 

26. Territorial Behavior: Territorial behavior is the method an animal uses to protect its territory from an attack by other species. A territory is any defended area. Protecting a territory requires time, energy and an aggressive defense if needed. This could result in injury or death. Above are two hummingbirds fighting over the feeder. Both are hungry for food and attack each other to try and secure the food for themselves. They chirp loudly at each other; a warning to stay away from the feeder. They go after each other and aggressively fight until one flies away, defeated. The victorious hummingbird secured its territory and is able to drink from the feeder. 

27. Animal Adaptation: Snakes have many adaptions to survive. They have clear scales over their eyes to keep the dirt out. Snakes also are many different colors to blend in with the environment around them.  The small snake above is a light brown, making it easy for him to blend in with dirt. A snake has no arms or legs making it easier for the animal to slither along grass or rocks without disturbance. This allows them to quietly move without alerting their prey. Snakes have unusually flexible jaws which allows them to swallow prey several times the snakes diameter. Unlike the snake above, some snakes are poisonous. This helps the animal kill its prey and protect itself from its enemies. 

28. Animal with a Segmented Body: A segmented body is a division of an animals body. It is divided into functional units. Spiders have two different body segments. The front part of the spiders body is called the celphalothorax. The spiders eyes, stomach and brain are located in this segment. The second segment of a spider is called the abdomen. This is where the silk producing glands are found. The spider above has spun its web in my house. A spiders body has an oil on it that keeps it from sticking to its own web. 

29. Eukaryote: An eukaryote is a single or multicellular organism whose cells contain a membrane bound nucleus. DNA is found in the nucleus. The DNA is bound together by proteins into chromosomes. Eukaryotes include plants, animals, fungi and protists. The praying mantis above has eukaryotic cells inside its body. Due to this characteristic, the praying mantis is considered an eukaryote. 

30. Eubacteria: Eubacteria is bacteria that has a rigid cell wall and flagella. Eubacteria is prokaryotic; their cells have no nucleus. Most eubacteria is helpful to our bodies. It helps us digest our food, create cheese, and make antibioics. Eubacteria is also what helps us make milk into the yogurt we eat.