Are we more similar to plants than we may think? (BioE80 Spr2015)
May 25, 2015 • 5:21 PM UTC
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andrewpk
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In our investigation, we explorers compared an animal with a plant and examined the similarities between two seemingly different organisms! The subjects we analyzed were an ant and a small golden-yellow flower.
On the left, you can see the ant’s leg. On the right is the flower’s stem!
A similarity we immediately noticed related to the subjects’ parts that interacted with the ground – the ant’s legs and flower’s stem. Each possessed tiny hair-like structures that, although naked to the human eye, were extremely visible under the microscope! We hypothesized that the hairs coming off the ant’s legs enhanced its ability to feel its surroundings, while the flower’s hairs may offer it more surface area to absorb nutrients. Then, these hairs would similarly offer the ant and flower increased interaction with their environments.
A similarity we immediately noticed related to the subjects’ parts that interacted with the ground – the ant’s legs and flower’s stem. Each possessed tiny hair-like structures that, although naked to the human eye, were extremely visible under the microscope! We hypothesized that the hairs coming off the ant’s legs enhanced its ability to feel its surroundings, while the flower’s hairs may offer it more surface area to absorb nutrients. Then, these hairs would similarly offer the ant and flower increased interaction with their environments.
The insect’s neck and head and the plant’s anther (the rounded tips) also had interesting similarities. Although not as exact, both had thin, twistable structures leading to oval ends to form a body part. When viewed under zoom, they nearly looked like recolors of each other, even with completely different functions.
Lastly, an additional parallel between the ant and flower specimen was the semi-transparency of each. We noticed that light could pass through the flower’s style (the long green stem-like structure) and golden petal, along with the ant’s body. We wondered whether this may be for circulating water throughout the plant and blood throughout the ant.
In conclusion, we discovered that looking at animals and plants on a microscopic level could lead to apparent and curious similarities. Perhaps, plants and animals aren’t as different as most people think they are.
Contributor: Andrew P and Emily P
Lastly, an additional parallel between the ant and flower specimen was the semi-transparency of each. We noticed that light could pass through the flower’s style (the long green stem-like structure) and golden petal, along with the ant’s body. We wondered whether this may be for circulating water throughout the plant and blood throughout the ant.
In conclusion, we discovered that looking at animals and plants on a microscopic level could lead to apparent and curious similarities. Perhaps, plants and animals aren’t as different as most people think they are.
Contributor: Andrew P and Emily P
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