Eukaryote

These specimens are young bearded dragons I found at my local Petco on Wilshire Boulevard. Bearded dragons are eukaryotes, like all living organisms other than primitive microorganisms like bacteria, as in their cells their genetic material are inside a nucleus. A eukaryote is an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic materials, DNA in the form of chromosomes, are contained within a distinct nucleus.

Adaptation in a Plant

This specimen is an aloe vera plant I found on my back patio. Aloe vera is a plant that has adapted to its environment by having thick, fleshy, and large leaves in order to store large volumes of water in order to survive in a hot climate. An adaptation in a plant is any change by which a plant becomes better suited to its environment.

Vascular Plant

This specimen is a star jasmine vine I found on my back patio. Star jasmine is a vascular plant as it is able to transport water and nutrients from the roots to various parts of the plant and bear seeds. A vascular plant is any seed-bearing plant contains a system of vessels which transport water and nutrients between different parts of the plant.

Bilateral Symmetry

This specimen is a frog I found at my local Petco on Wilshire Boulevard. Frogs have bilateral symmetry because if you drew an n imaginary line from its head down through the middle of its back, you would find the two sides would be symmetrical halves. Bilateral symmetry is a body design found in most organisms in which if an imaginary plane divided the body, the two halves would be mirror images.

Epithelial Tissue

This specimen is a guinea pig I found at my local Petco on Wilshire Boulevard. Guinea pigs are animals and therefore have epithelial tissue lining organs and other structures within its body. Epithelial tissue is a type of animal tissue made of densely packed cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, as well as form many glands. Its functions include secretion, absorption, protection, transcellular transport, and detection of sensation.

Endotherm

This specimen is a lorikeet I found at Omar’s Exotic Birds on Wilshire Boulevard. Lorikeets are warm-blooded birds that can regulate their own internal temperature regardless of its environment. An endotherm is a warm-blooded animal that is capable of regulating its own internal temperature through homeostasis.

Ectotherm

These specimens are goldfish I found at my local Petco on Wilshire Boulevard. Goldfish are ectotherms as they are cold-blooded and their body temperature is determined by the temperature of their environment. An ectotherm is a cold-blooded animal which regulates body temperature by depending on external sources of body heat.