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1. Choose an organism that you are excited to research.
2. Fill in each square of your column to describe how the characteristics of life apply to your chosen organism.

You must include both text and a visual element in each square.

Use the prompts in each square as a guide while you research. Feel free to add additional boxes if needed!!

Cite your sources by providing URLs

Mrs. Washburn has completed the  column to the right about barnacles as an example.

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Look through the padlet and read and comment on your classmates posts!

You must add at least three comments to the padlet responding to the following three prompts (feel free to comment more than that!):

1. Point out something new you learned from a classmate.

2. Point out something that you find absolutely fascinating.

3. Ask a question that came to mind after viewing your classmate's project.

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Barnacles are tiny animals that are closely related to crabs and lobsters.  They live in marine habitats (saltwater) where they attach to hard surfaces like a rock or the underside of a boat.  They are sessile creatures (they live in one spot their entire lives) and they build strong cement homes around themselves.  Their cement is one of the most powerful natural glues, and scientists are currently trying to  figure out how to use barnacle glue commercially because it is so strong!

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Image of the Organism:  Barnacle Anatomy

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Image of the Organism:  Barnacle Anatomy

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Image of Organism: Barnacles Growing on a Whale

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Image of Organism: Barnacles Growing on a Whale

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Barnacles are animals, therefore they are composed of eukaryotic cells. As a multicellular organism, barnacles have different types of cells that perform different functions. Some cells secrete the cement that makes up the hard casing of their outer shell, while other cells make up the fleshy appendages that extend into the water to collect food. Many different types of cells work together to perform the functions of life.

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Barnacles start off their lives in a larval stage and float through the water until they land on a good, solid surface where lots of food is available. Once the larva has found an appropriate place to call home, it will start secreting a cement glue around itself and grow into a mature adult.

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Many barnacles are hermaphroditic which means they have both male and female reproductive parts. With all parts present, barnacles have the ability to reproduce on their own. Because barnacles are sessile and cannot leave their shells to mate, sexual reproduction is challenging, but it they make it happen. Barnacles have very long penises (the largest body to penis size ratio in the animal kingdom!). The length of the barnacle penis allows for the transfer of sperm between neighboring barnacles. Another method of reproduction utilized by barnacles is spermcasting. This is when barnacles release sperm into the water, and it is picked up by another barnacle to fertilize their eggs.

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One example of homeostasis in barnacles is their ability to maintain moisture. The body of the barnacle cannot dry out or the creature will die. When the tide goes out and the creatures are exposed to dry air, they seal up their homes by closing the tiny plates located at the opening. When the tide comes back in, they open up again by moving their plates out of they way. It is almost like a door that opens and closes!

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Barnacles respond to the change in water level around them by opening and closing the plates at the top of their home. When they are submerged under water, the plates open to allow their tentacles to extend and capture food. When they are exposed to dry air, the plates close to preserve moisture.

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As our global climate changes the salinity of marine habitats is decreasing.  Scientists are currently studying barnacles and what they have noticed is that they are are currently evolving to tolerate lower levels of salinity in their habitats.

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Barnacles obtain food by opening up their plates, extending feathery appendages and collecting microscopic food particles floating around in the water. This is called filter feeding! Because barnacles get their food from other organisms (they can't make their own food) they are considered heterotrophs.

During the winter months, less food is available so their metabolism slows down, but it picks up again in the warmer months when more food is available.

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Barnacles have DNA as their genetic material, and this DNA is passed on from one generation to the next when barnacles reproduce. Scientists are currently studying barnacle DNA to see how they adapt to changing environments as a species!

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Add an image (or multiple images) of your organism here!

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Write a brief description of your organism here.

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What type of cells is your organism made of?

What are some of the specific functions that this organism's cells perform?

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Provide an example of how your organism maintains a constant internal state (aka homeostasis!)

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Provide an example of how your organism responds to a stimulus in the environment.

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How has the species of your organism evolved over time?

OR

How might you expect this species to evolve over time?

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How does your organism obtain and utilize energy?

Is it an autotroph or a heterotroph?

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How does your organism reproduce?

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Describe some of the ways that your organism grows and develops.

What stages does your organism go through during its lifetime?

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What type of genetic material does your organism have?

Is there anything special about how this genetic information is passed on from one generation to the next?