Thursday, August 4, 2011

Leaf- Gymnosperm

Gymnosperms are plants that drop unprotected seeds in things like pinecones. The leafs of these plants are more like needles than like leaves. They are not wide leaves they are skinny, small and pointed. Pine trees are the most commen example of plants that are gymnosperms.

Heartwood

Heartwood is the hard central wood at the center of the tree. The heartwood is actually dead wood unlike the sap wood, which is still alive. As the tree grows, some sapwood is systematically changed into heartwood. The main purpose of the heartwood is to provide the central structural support to the rest of the tree. 

Epithelial tissue

Epithelial tissue is the outer layer of tissue that protects everything under it. The epithelial tissue encases almost the entire body. The farthest layer is the epidermis layer, which is what you see in the picture.

Endotherm

An endotherm is a creature with a high metabolism and is capable of generating its own body heat, instead of relying of an outside head source. All mamals fall into this catagory. This is my dog shadow, she generates her own body heat and therefore is an endotherm, even when she is sleeping like she is now.

Cuticle layer of a plant

The cuticle layer of a plant is the outer most layer of the plant that is responsible for protecting the plant. The cuticle functions much the same way as the skin of a human. This basil plant's outer layer is a cuticle layer.

Cellulose

Cellulose is the structural component in the cell walls of green plants. Cellulose is the most common organic compound found on the earth. The most abundant forms of cellulose are found in cotton and wood, with cotton containing 90% and wood containing 40-50%.

Carbohydrate - Fibrous

Fibrous carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates that come mostly from green leafy plants. They are heavy in fiber as the name suggests. They aid humans with digestion when eaten.