Monday, August 30, 2010

Today we also discussed evolution and slow change over time. We discussed that evolution is not debated (the mechanism for evolution is) and that we have even seen change in humans in the last two to three hundred years. Typically humans are getting taller and have bigger feet than their parents and grandparents. We think this is because of better nutrition.

We talked about the fossil record and how evidence shows whales changing from land mammals to sea mammals over millions of years and how you can observe the small changes in skeletal structure changing over time.

We discussed predator prey adaptations - specifically coloration. The first topic is camouflage. Flounder (like the ones pictured) have passive camouflage. Their bodies are patterned and it allows them to blend in with the background. Can you spot the flounder in these photos?

Active camouflage is when an organism can actually change the color of its skin to match a background or flash colors to confuse predators and prey. Watch the Kings of Camoflage video about cuttlefish in the sidebar for more information.

The photo above is from this cool website blog that archives photos of all kinds of animals that are camouflaged.

We also talked about other types of coloration like mimicry, flash, warning coloration, advertising, and sexual dimorphism. Students finished the day by reviewing coloration and coloring their own fishes. The last fish on the page was supposed to match the shirt you had on. Harley had an excellent example matching her plaid shirt, so I snapped a pic of it. What do you think?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the camouflage is a pretty cool thing. I never realized the types of camouflages that creatures have and who know that it was for more than just protecting them or attracting mates. Though some of the creatures look a little strange it's neat to see how they change to adapt to their environments.
-Cherie Gaines

Anonymous said...

I LOVE CAMOUFALGE..IT'S REALLY SWEET..IT MAKES ME WANT TO BA AN ANIMAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM PLAYING HIDE- AND- SEEK WHICH IS PRETTY COOL..I KNOW SOME OTHER ORGANISMS GET MAD AT THE ACTIVE CAMOUFLAGE BECAUSE THE ACTIVE CAMOUFLAGE ORGANISMS COLOR CHANGE WITH THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS THAT THEY ARE IN..BUT PASSIVE ON THE OTHER HAND DOESN'T CHANGE WITH THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT..IT ALREDY MATCHES WITH THE ENVIRONMENT THAT ITS IN BUT IF IT MOVES TO A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT IT WONT MATCH TO WELL. .
-MOE JONES

Anonymous said...

Camouflage is one thing that I find the most interesting about marine life. I especially find the active camouflage capabilities of the ocopus to be exceptionally interesting. I know one thing for sure, and that is that I am completely jealous of any organiosm that can produce an active comouflage!:)
-Haley Muller

Anonymous said...

Camouflage is a really good thing for fish that are in the water. It is a good thing because the fish can change so it wont be eating for some other fishes dinner. Being camouflage would be great if humans can change into a background so they could hide from certain things.
-Michelle

Anonymous said...

I think that having camouflage is one of the greatest defences a prey could have. If I was a fish or marine animal I would wanna blend into the brightest coral reef. Of course, I would have warning coloration. That way if anything tried to eat me I would just end up killing it! ha.
-Brendan Collins

Computer Lab Etiquette

You are in the computer lab to do work for this class. If you are not doing work, then we will have problems.

Do not pack up early. Work until the bell or until MsJ says.

SAVE OFTEN. And if you save to a key, also save it to your number. If you lose it, you will have to do it again.

If MsJ asks for your attention, stop what you are doing and listen to what she has to say.

You may watch videos about your organism through reliable websites.

You may listen to music through the computer if you have your own headphones. Rule1 MsJ cannot hear it. You get one warning. Rule2 Turn it on and listen – no million clicks and constant changing. Take both ear phones out when MsJ is talking.