Adaptation of a Plant

Definition: any change in an organisms structure that is result of natural selection and helps the organism survive and reproduce in its environment

Connection: Thorns on a rose stem are an example of a plant adaption. These thorns act as a defensive mechanism that protect the plant from predators, ensuring that it can survive and reproduce in it's environment.

Amniotic Egg

Definition: an amniotic egg contains several fluid-filled membranes that contain nutrients, allowing embryonic development on dry land.

Connection: an example of an amniotic egg is a chicken egg. Chicken eggs contain a yolk that acts as a "nutrient sack" for the developing chick inside.

Photo Hunt Assignment

Photo Hunt at the Arboretum

1) Japanese Stewartia

Adaptation: The tree bark of the Japanese Stewartia peels off to give the tree a "camouflage" look. This helps the tree blend in with its environment.

2) Tulip Tree

Adaptation:  Tulip tree flowers resemble actual tulips (hence the name), this adaptation allows the flowers to  camouflage themselves by looking like another plant leading predators away. 

3) Sassafras

Adaptation:  Their are four different types of Sassafras tree leaves: three lobed, elliptical, two lobed (right side), and two lobed (left side). These particular shapes make the leaves very broad allowing the tree to capture more sunlight (energy). 

4) Korean Dogwood 

Adaptation:  Korean dogwood flowers have "prickly" stems which can be used as a defense mechanism against smaller organisms that feed on the plant. 

5) Climbing Hydrangea

Adaptation: The Climbing Hydrangea is a type of vine; like all vines it has an adaptation to cling to things. If planted with no support nearby it can grow either as a bush or a vine. If there is some form of support nearby it will grow as a vine and cling to it. 

6) Paperbark Maple 

Adaptations: Like the Japanese Stewartia, the Paperbark Maple also has bark that peels off. This gives the bark of the tree a camouflage look and allows it to hide in its environment.

Arboretum Environment
* The arboretum's environment would be similar to the city of Boston's with very humid summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are mild with small showers and winds. It rains sporadically in Boston so there can be times when it doesn't rain for a long time.

Necessary Adaptations
* Boston's weather can be very unpredictable so trees would be have to be able to handle going long periods of time without rain or sunshine. They would also have to be able to withstand long and very frigid winters.

Living Species
*Living amongst the plants and trees of the Arnold Arboretum I noticed bees and chipmunks. The bees were mostly around the plants and flowers on trees and the chipmunks were around the bases of trees and in long grass. 

Introduction

Hi, my name is Mikal Hayden-Gates and I am a rising Junior at New Mission High School. This blog will be used to post pictures I take for my AP BIO Summer Assignment for the upcoming school year, 2013-2014 !!!!