Lydia - Items #11-15

ECTOTHERM

Ectotherms (also known as cold bloods) are animals, such as this lovely froggy, that do not have an internal heat source or regulator. Instead they must rely on heat from external sources such as the sun to raise their body temperature. The same is true if they are too warm; they must find a cool place to rest in order to lower their body temperature. This little guy could be doing either – sitting against the cool hose and using conduction to cool off his body, or if the hose was not used recently the water inside could be warm from the sun and with the sun beating down; he could be trying to warm up after a swim! 

EUKARYOTE

A eukaryotic organism, such as the one in this picture is composed of eukaryotic cells and is more evolutionarily advanced than prokaryotes and bacteria. The cells within this organism all contain both a cell membrane and a nucleus with DNA inside. The internal structures of this creature (I’m not quite sure what this one is…haha) are also organized into compartments.

EXOSKELETON

This beetle is a prime example of an organism with an exoskeleton. Its hard skeleton on the outside of its body protects all of the important organs within, as well as holds the shape of the beetle. Exoskeletons act sort of like a suit of armor for the organism as it is a rigid external covering of the invertebrate. Insects and crustaceans have some of the best examples of exoskeletons.

ANIMAL WITH A SEGMENTED BODY

This worm has a segmented body which is easily seen when looking at the repeating parts (rings) of its skin. Most earthworms have between 100-150 segments. The segments provide structural stability for the worm, and allow it to move through the dirt by contracting and releasing these segments.

FLOWER OVARY

Contained within the green leaves of this flower lies the ovary. In the second image the ovary is visible (the dark green section of the flower). The ovary is an enclosed chamber at the base of the carpel where the ovules are produced. When the flower wilts away, the seeds (ovules) contained within the ovary mature and get ready to be dispersed (most likely by the wind in this situation) so that they can then start their own journey of growth into a new flower. Then the cycle repeats!