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This image represents the evolution of insects adapting to their surroundings. It's similar to how fish blend into coral; butterflies have fake eyes on their wings to scare off predators. Huskies have long coats of hair to protect them from the cold. However, in the summer; they shed their fur. Our world around us is constantly changing based on the environment. This insect has changed its skin to blend into its surroundings for survival reasons. It's much harder to be spotted this way. Their predators have to adjust and get smarter. This is how evolution continues; survival of the fittest.

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https://msu-prod.dotcmscloud.com/news/claviceps-purpurea

Claviceps purpurea is a fungus infecting

grass, especially rye, causing a disease known as ergot. The hard, dark masses, called sclerotia, are the replacements of grain by the fungus. These sclerotia produce harmful toxic chemicals if eaten by humans and animals, resulting in ergotism.

This fungus infects young grass flowers and grows very fast, overtaking the plant's grain. It has various types, each infecting certain species of grass. For example, one type infects grasses of open fields, another infects grasses in forests or mountains, and a third infects salt marsh grasses.

Knowledge about Claviceps purpurea will inform scientists and farmers on how to avoid ergot disease and protect people and livestock from its harmful effects.

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Claviceps Purpurea

C. purpurea is a parasite of grasses in the subfamily Pooidae, and was found on Elymus repens in East Lansing, MI.

Figure 1. A) The sclerotia appeared dark brown, about 10 mm in length, growing in one to several sclerotia per spike on Elymus repens. B) The habitat was a grassy margin under Juglans nigra, outside of Baker Woodlot. C) Cut sclerotia, revealing the purple surface and white interior. D) The cells inside the sclerotia appear cuboid and to contain lipid vesicles (1000X).

Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul., Ergot Fungus, PLP847_2018_127

C. purpurea is a parasite of grasses in the subfamily Pooidae, and was found on Elymus repens in East Lansing, MI. C. purpurea produces dark purple to brown sclerotia which grow in infected ovarian tissue of the host grass. The fungus infects through the stigma and begins growing in the ovary after 3 days. Eventually, the entire ovary is replaced by fungal tissue (Shaw and Mantle 1980). Pažoutová et al. 2015 determined that C. purpurea can be divided into four species based on gene flow and a multigene phylogeny, including C. purpurea sensu stricto, C. humidiphila, C. spartinae, and C. arundinis. In the United States, all sclerotia found on Elymus repens were in C. purpurea sensu stricto. The ITS1F-LR3 contig confirms this grouping for isolate PLP847_2018_127.

Other names for this species have included Sphaeria purpurea Fr. (1823), Cordyceps purpurea (Fr.) Fr. (1849), and Pseudocenangium purpureum (Fr.) A. Knapp. The fungus is known for its production of ergot alkaloids (Flieger et al. 1997), many of which are quite toxic but pharmaceutically useful (ergotamines, ergoxines, ergotoxines, ergoannines). There is even a popular hypothesis, maybe unlikely, that contamination of grain with C. purpurea in Salem was involved in the town's infamous witch trials (Woolf 2000).

Division: Ascomycota

Subdivision: Pezizomycotina

Class: Sordariomycetes

Subclass: Hypocreomycetidae

Order: Hypocreales

Family: Clavicipitaceae

Site: 42.71887467,-84.47776228

References:

Flieger M, Wurst M, Shelby R. Ergot alkaloids-sources, structures and analytical methods. Folia microbiologica. 1997 Feb 1;42(1):3-0.

Pažoutová S, Pešicová K, Chudíčková M, Šrůtka P, Kolařík M. Delimitation of cryptic species inside Claviceps purpurea. Fungal Biology. 2015 Jan 1;119(1):7-26.

Shaw BI, Mantle PG. Host infection by Claviceps purpurea. Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 1980 Jan 1;75(1):77-90.

Woolf A. Witchcraft or mycotoxin? The Salem witch trials. Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology. 2000 Jan 1;38(4):457-60.

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C. purpurea is a parasite of grasses in the subfamily Pooidae, and was found on Elymus repens in East Lansing, MI.

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Monocotyledons have one cotyledon, but dicotyledons have two. The monocot leaves usually have parallel veins while the leaves of the dicot have a net-like venation. The flower parts of monocots are generally in multiples of three, but the flower parts are in multiples of four or five for dicots. In the case of the stem, it has scattered vascular bundles in monocots but ring-like in dicots. Monocots have a fibrous root system, and most dicots possess a taproot system. A few examples of monocots are grasses such as wheat and maize, lilies and palm trees. Legumes, which include beans and peas; roses; sunflowers are examples of dicots. These features help in the identification and classification of the plants encountered around us.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8YhKI5qcfg&t=7s

Nematodes or roundworms are unsegmented, cylindrical organisms in almost all environments. They have a tough, flexible cuticle that is shed as they grow, and a pseudocolor that provides structural support by maintaining internal pressure. Nematodes have bilateral symmetry and a complete digestive system with a mouth, pharynx, intestine, and anus. Their movement is characterized by thrashing due to the longitudinal muscles present. Most reproduction is sexual, with separate sexes, and often males have elaborated structures associated with sperm transfer. Many nematodes are important in ecosystems as decomposers, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. Some species are parasitic on plants, animals, and even humans, being responsible for several diseases, representing significant economic losses and health consequences. Overall, nematodes are important for ecosystem functioning and can be beneficial or harmful organisms.

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Phylum Nematoda Part 1: Introduction to the Roundworms

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https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/principles-of-physiology/body-structure-and-homeostasis/a/homeostasis

Homeostasis is how the body keeps its internal environment stable despite changes in the outside environment. Control measures such as temperature, pH, and blood sugar are under homeostasis. Negative feedback loops return conditions inside the body to normal once they have gone too high or too low using sensors, control centers, and effectors. For example, sweating cools the body and shivering warms it. If, however, the feedback systems break down, such as in diabetes, balance cannot be maintained, which leads to health problems. Positive feedback, on the other hand, acts by increasing changes in one direction. Such as intensifying contractions in childbirth. Homeostasis is truly a pot of treasured acknowledgments for sustenance of corporeal function.

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Homeostasis (article) | Human body systems | Khan Academy

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Learn how organisms maintain homeostasis, or a stable internal environment.

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https://content.ebscohost.com/cds/retrieve?content=AQICAHjPtM4BHU3ZchRwgzYmadcigk49r9CVlbU7V5F6lgH7WwEaBsx1Pjz6Kf-cUzRgqB5EAAAA4DCB3QYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoIHPMIHMAgEAMIHGBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHgYJYIZIAWUDBAEuMBEEDI4XTSMYyTa1DxghdgIBEICBmPeoikJ8mrNDZx5q9gl3b7ErATFJkf1kbDxGLvYbXIjA4H-lD0BkigBiXSfBtFVPxIT1tHO0GWN8PKZ7Qh-XiNEWEdJKku-R09kWyFou83Qp4faH77nts3TogpRh33ldyMSCBZ7zbsSLMRFSUDZG6P93J0iJb1bnxZ4k46VgWaM7rw9nJ3GZS32ztgDeAec0_tKwJ2wbzI5Z

The liver plays an important role in the immune system by producing cytokines and acute phase reactants. Most of the blood that flows into the liver comes from the portal vein; which is rich in vitamins but also contains pathogens and microbial molecules from the intestine. To manage this, the liver maintains a balance between immune tolerance to harmless substances and caution against harmful pathogens. Kupffer cells, are essential in this process as they detect pathogens, adjust neutrophils, and help in repairing liver tissue after injury. They also release chemical signals to draw other immune cells when damage occurs. Under normal conditions, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells help suppress T cells to prevent excessive inflammation. Additionally, the liver houses invariant natural killer T cells, which can respond to lipid antigens without requiring additional stimulation. Together, these immune cells help the liver defend itself and maintain balance during damage or disease.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPfzJ9qaPcw

Biodiversity is the range of life on Earth. It includes plants, animals, microorganisms, and their habitats. Its three main elements are genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecological diversity. Ecosystems need biodiversity to be functional and healthy. It helps in the regulation of temperature, purification of water, and pollination. Unfortunately, pollution, habitat destruction, overuse of materials, and climate change are endangering it. We need to preserve natural habitats, obey environmental regulations, and use resources sensibly if we are going to protect them. By doing all of these things, ecosystems can still grow and provide us with the necessities of life. For all organisms on Earth, biodiversity is what makes the Earth a wonderful and habitable world.

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What is biodiversity? | Natural History Museum

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Subtropical deserts are very dry areas found between 15° and 30° latitude, often on the leeward sides of mountains where rain shadows form. These deserts have extremely high daytime temperatures, sometimes over 60°C (140°F), but can drop to near freezing at night due to the dry air. They receive little rainfall, usually less than 30 cm (12 inches) a year, and it is often unpredictable. Many plants in these deserts grow quickly after rain and then die, while others have deep roots and store water in their stems to survive. Animals in subtropical deserts are usually active at night and spend the hot days underground. The Namib Desert is the world’s oldest desert and is home to unique species like Welwitschia mirabilis and several endemic reptiles. Cold deserts, like the Gobi and Great Basin deserts, are different because they have freezing winters and snow instead of rain.