AP Bio Scavenger Hunt #2

Seed dispersal: (blowing dandelion) the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant by way of abiotic and biotic sources, such as wind, water and animals. This dandelion depends on wind to pick up and spread its seed.

Gymnosperm cone: (pine cone) a vascular plant that bears naked seeds- seeds not enclosed in specialized chambers. Gymnosperm seeds develop either on the surface of scales or leaves, often modified to form cones, as shown here in this pine cone.

Detritivore: (wood fungi) a consumer that derives its energy and nutrients from nonliving organic materials such as fallen plant material and the wastes of living organisms; also known as a decomposer. This type of fungus produces enzymes which are necessary to breaking down chemicals in dead wood.

Population: (cattails) a localized group of individuals of the same species that can interbreed, producing fertile offspring. This group of cattails thrives on the side of the local rivers and wetlands, mixing with the community of weeds, flowers and trees, which are visible in the background.

Amniotic egg: (chicken egg) a shelled egg in which an embryo develops within a fluid-filled amniotic sac and is nourished by yolk. Enables reptiles, birds, and egg-laying mammals to complete their life cycles on dry land.

Exoskeleton: (ladybug) a hard encasement on the surface of an animal , such as the cuticle of an arthropod, that provides protection and points of attachment for muscles. This ladybug, shown on the right portion of the white flower, has a hard exoskeleton instead of skin to provide increased protection from the environment.

Pollinator: (beetle) a biotic agent that moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower in order to accomplish fertilization. This black beetle, shown in the top portion of the white flower, is collecting pollen from the flower on its legs and aiding the flower with its reproduction cycle.

Eubacteria: (pond scum) prokaryotic organisms, characterized by the lack of membrane-bound nuclei, predominantly unicellular and most commonly known for medical infections such as E. coli and staph. The thick scum in this pond represents a large amount of environmental bacteria, protists, algae, and insects.

Batesian mimicry: (orange spotted butterfly) a type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators. The orange butterfly shown here resting on the plant in the center has spots on its wings which mimic eyes in order to confuse predators and dissuade it from eating the butterfly.