Autotrophs and Heterotrophs According to their energy processes, organisms are classified as autotrophs or heterotrophs. Autotrophs are creatures that can synthesize energy-containing organic compounds from inorganic raw materials utilizing simple energy sources such as sunlight. Plants are the best example of autotrophs since they use photosynthesis. All other species must consume sustenance in lipids, carbs,…
Plant Reproduction and Life Cycle All plants are living things with a life cycle, similar to humans and other animals. The plant life cycle can be described through their reproduction cycles. Wilhelm Hofmeister demonstrated that alternating generations is a feature that is common among plants. The plant reproductive cycle switches between haploid and diploid generations,…
Fish Evolution and Ecology Fishes are cold-blooded creatures that breathe through gills, live in water, and move with fins. They have a streamlined body that helps them swim without much resistance in the water. They also have fins to assist them in swimming. They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic organisms. They have a segmented body, and…
Introduction Roundworms or nematodes are tiny parasitic organisms that can thrive, grow and multiply within the intestines of humans, dogs, etc. They may cause infections like fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc. They are called parasites since they are typically found in other living organisms as the host. Roundworms As the name suggests, Roundworms are round…
Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance The Gregor Mendel pea plant experiment was conducted between 1856 and 1863. Mendel selected several specific pea traits and performed cross-pollination or artificial pollination in pea lines with stable trait inheritance that were continuously self-pollinating. Why was Pea Plant Selected for Mendel’s Experiments? The pea plant is simple to grow and…
What is the Placenta? Ever wondered how a baby breathes inside the womb or feeds itself? Inside the placenta, exchanges of nutrients and blood take place. A fully grown placenta comprises a dense network of blood arteries from both the fetus and the mother. Microscopic gaps close yet separate the fetal and maternal arteries. This…
Introduction to Leaves Any flattened and green outgrowths from the stems of vascular plants are called leaves. They are the first and primary sites of photosynthesis, the process by which plants manufacture food and energy to help nourish and sustain themselves. What is a Leaf? Leaves are the lateral appendages of the vascular plant systems….
What is Behavioural Genetics? Behavior is organized into recognized patterns, referred to as behavioral “units.” The same animal will repeat the same movement pattern repeatedly, and different individuals of the same species will act in very similar ways. Cyclic Behavior There are two basic types of cyclic behaviors: circadian rhythms and migration. Let’s go over…
Chordate Definition “Chordates” is the term used to refer to those animals, including human beings/homo sapiens, that belong to the ‘Phylum Chordata.’ This class possesses a notochord (a cartilaginous, softer version of the spinal cord) in one or all the stages of their lifetime. This phylum includes large animals ranging from humans to all vertebrates…
Introduction We all respond to stimuli from the environment, and how we respond to a stimulus represents our personality and mental state. This is called behavior. There are two types of animal behavior: innate and learned. Innate behaviour Definition Innate behaviour is often uncontrolled and automatic. It usually occurs in response to a particular stimulus….