Commensalism: Clown Fish

Commensalism is the association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm. A clown fish and sea anemone are an example of this. The clown fish lives among the deadly tentacles of a sea anemone. The anemone's tentacles contain nematocyst, which paralyzes the anemone's prey and protect it against predators. Oddly, the clown fish cannot be stunned. Living within the anemone's tentacles, the clown fish also gains protection from the nematocyst, as well as food from left-overs of the anemone's meals.

Littoral Zone Organism: Coral

The Littoral Zone is where the land and sea meet, between the high and low tide zones. It is rich in nutrients and oxygen and is home to a variety of organisms. The turbulence of the water is another reason that this area can be very difficult one in which to survive - the rough waves can dislodge or carry away poorly-adapted organisms. Many intertidal animals burrow into the sand (like clams), live under rocks, or attach themselves to rocks. The coral is located in the littoral zone because most corals require sunlight and grow in clear, shallow water.

Homeostasis: Crocodile

Homeostasis is the ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its internal environment when dealing with external changes. Like humans, crocodiles perform homeostasis when the body regulates body temperature in an effort to maintain an internal temperature. They remain in their burrows during the day, coming out at night to hunt in the water, along the banks of the river or pool and into the forest. During the dry season (for those living in savanna areas) they may spend longer period within the burrow.

CAM plant: Pineapple

CAM is short for crassulacean acid metabolism, which are plants that go through a type of photosynthesis in which CO2 is taken up and stored during the night to allow the stomata to remain closed durning the day. This allows the plant to decreases the amount of water loss. This is a picture of a pineapple found at the store with “Stanley” the little paper man, with many CAM Pineapples.

Gravitropism: Sunflower

Gravitropism causes sunflower plants to naturally grow upward, responding to the gravitational pull. If a sunflower seedling is grown in a vertical container, then placed on its side, the plant will bend itself and continue to grow skyward. Auxin concentration is responsible for the sunflower doing this. 

Radial Symmetry: flower

Radial Symmetry is the arrangement of parts of an organism around a single main axis, so that the organism can be divided into similar halves by any plane that contains the main axis. This flower can be split and cut in multiple different angles and directions, and would still by symmetrical to the other half of the cut.

Ectotherm: Snake

An Ectotherm is an animal that is dependent on external sources of body heat. Snakes live in various habitats and include burrowing, tree-dwelling, ground lovers, freshwater and marine forms. During the winter, many snakes will burrow underground to hibernate. This allows their body temperature to stay elevated, allowing them to survive the cold winters. During the warm days, the snakes will usually be out and about, staying warm and getting as much food as possible. This Carpet Python has a heat lamp above him in his cage to keep it at a normal temperature to keep him happy and active for the guests.