 |
Mutualism is a form of symbiosis in which both organisms benefit from the presence of the other. In this image, mutualism is shown through the honeybee pollinating the buttonbush flower. The bee collects nectar from the flower which is eventually turned into food for the colony. The pollen that adheres to the bee's fur is transferred to a female part of the plant as the bee travels, which allows the flower to produce the seeds that will propagate its species.
Pollen represents the male reproductive portion of a plant. More specifically, each pollen grain contains two sperm nuclei, which are transferred to the female part of a plant through various means of pollination. Pollen fertilizes the egg, producing a zygote that will eventually become a seed. Pollen producing anthers are a characteristic of angiosperms like the one shown here. In this image, dusty yellow pollen can be seen on the anthers of the wildflower.
An organism that exhibits bilateral symmetry has a physical appearance that forms a mirror image of itself over a single plane. Many animals have evolved to be bilaterally symmetrical because evenly balanced appendages allow for optimal mobility. The monarch butterfly seen here is an example of an organism with a bilaterally symmetrical body. The pattern and shape of each wing is an exact reflection of the other, as is the butterfly's body.
The cuticle layer of a plant is the hydrophobic outer layer that exists on all leaves and non-woody stems. A plant's cuticle layer acts as a shield to harmful external conditions. The structure prevents excess evaporation of water from the plant's surface and protects against contamination of the plant tissue from unsanitary water, dirt and various microorganisms. The leaves of the boxwood bush shown above have glossy cuticle layers that glare in the sun; in rainy conditions, water would bead up on the waxy cuticle surface.
The stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower. It is broken into two main parts, the filament, which functions as a stalk, and the anther, which is the pollen producing portion of the flower. In this image of a daylily, about six dark golden anthers can be seen in the center of the flower, supported by the lighter colored filaments.
The basic functions of plant stems are; support, transport and storage of water and nutrients, and the production of new tissues. A modified stem of a plant is any stem that serves a purpose outside of these standard characteristics, typically as an adaptation to an unconventional environment. Vines are an example of a modified stem that allow a plant to climb various surfaces and provide additional stability. In the image, the vines of a crossvine plant can be seen climbing a metal rod.
Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food, hence their other name, producers. Typically, these organisms obtain their energy by synthesizing glucose through photosynthesis. When sunlight is not present however, certain autotrophs can use the energy of inorganic reactions to produce glucose, in a process known as chemosynthesis. Although autotrophs do not eat other organisms, they are consumed by heterotrophs, or consumers. An example of an autotroph that is eaten by consumers, even humans, is the rosemary plant seen above.
