Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into a fun and educational game show called “What the Function?” hosted by Destin from Smarter Every Day. Get ready to explore some fascinating specimens and learn about their unique features!
Our first specimen is a fish with some interesting features. It has rounded structures that look like gills, which help it breathe underwater. But here’s the cool part: it has teeth located in its throat! These teeth are part of a structure called the pharyngeal palate, which helps the fish grind up hard-shelled crustaceans like crabs and clams. This fish is known as a black drum fish, a type of saltwater drum fish. Not all fish have this feature, making the black drum fish quite special!
Next up, we have a specimen brought by Anna Goldman, the Assistant Collections Manager of mammals at The Field Museum. This creature has some unique adaptations. It has feet at the front and a long thumb where you’d expect a pinky, hinting that it might be a glider. And you’re right! It’s a flying squirrel.
Flying squirrels have special structures called scutes on their tails, which help them climb trees and glide through the air. These scutes work like a mechanical check valve, similar to what linemen use when climbing poles. Most flying squirrels have a piece of cartilage extending from their wrist, but this one has it from the elbow, giving it more flexibility. These squirrels are found in Central Africa, including countries like Angola, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Our next specimen looks like a plant with needle-like structures. You might think it’s a carnivorous plant, but it’s not. This is an acacia tree, known for being giraffe-proof! The tree has thorns that house stinging ants. When a giraffe tries to munch on the leaves, the ants come out and sting the intruder, protecting the tree. This relationship is beneficial for both the tree and the ants. The tree provides a home and food for the ants, while the ants defend the tree from herbivores.
Thanks for joining us on this educational journey! We hope you enjoyed learning about these amazing specimens and their unique adaptations. Remember, there’s always something new to discover in the world around us!
Using clay or playdough, create a model of the black drum fish. Pay special attention to its unique features, such as the pharyngeal palate. Once your model is complete, present it to the class and explain how these features help the fish survive in its environment.
Using paper and other craft materials, design a glider inspired by the flying squirrel. Test your glider to see how far it can glide. Discuss with your classmates how the flying squirrel’s adaptations, like the scutes and cartilage, help it glide through the air.
In groups, create a short skit that demonstrates the relationship between the acacia tree and the stinging ants. One student can be the tree, another the ants, and others can be giraffes. Show how the ants protect the tree from being eaten by the giraffes.
Choose an animal with a unique adaptation not mentioned in the article. Research how this adaptation helps the animal survive. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, including visuals or models if possible.
Write a short story from the perspective of one of the specimens discussed in the article. Imagine what a day in their life might be like, focusing on how their unique features help them navigate their environment. Share your story with the class.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language and maintaining a professional tone:
—
Hello everyone! Let’s welcome Destin from Smarter Every Day. We are introducing a new game show on The Brain Scoop called “What the Function?” There are prizes involved, though not in the traditional sense.
I have selected some specimens with your engineering background in mind, as I believe your prior knowledge will assist you in identifying them.
Let’s begin!
The first specimen appears to have rounded features, which is part of the “What the Function?” question. These are clearly gills, indicating that this is a fish. The structure we see here resembles teeth. The mouth is located at the front, and the teeth are positioned behind it.
This suggests that the teeth are situated in the throat. This anatomical feature is designed to grind hard substances.
What is the animal and what does it grind? This specimen is from a black drum fish, a type of saltwater drum fish. The structure we see is known as a pharyngeal palate, which contains teeth. Not all fish possess this feature; it is found in more evolved species. The palate is large and dense with teeth because these fish consume densely shelled crustaceans, requiring a mechanism to crush them.
Next, we have Anna Goldman, Assistant Collections Manager of mammals at The Field Museum, who has brought some specimens for Destin to identify.
Can I examine this? Yes, but please handle it with care.
This specimen is intriguing. It has feet at the front and a long thumb where the pinky would typically be, suggesting it may have “gliding” in its name.
Correct, it is a type of flying squirrel.
What about these structures? They have barbs on the underside of the tail, near the base.
This feature resembles a mechanical check valve used by linemen when climbing telephone poles or by hunters with deer stands. It allows the animal to climb and glide while maintaining its position.
These structures are known as scutes, which assist in climbing trees and help the animal land safely when gliding.
Most flying squirrels have a piece of cartilage extending from their wrist, but this species has it extending from their elbow, allowing for more dexterity.
Some bats possess a similar piece of skin, which aids in gliding and maneuverability.
Where do these animals reside?
They are found in Central Africa, including Angola, Tanzania, and Kenya.
This specimen has a distinctive white top on its head, which is quite beautiful.
Let’s move on to the next specimen.
It appears to be a plant with needle-like structures that may contain liquid.
Is this a carnivorous plant?
No, it is not.
This plant is known to be giraffe-proof, meaning it has adaptations to deter herbivores.
The thorns of the acacia tree serve as homes for stinging ants. When a giraffe or other animal attempts to eat the leaves, the ants emerge and defend the tree by stinging the intruder.
This relationship is beneficial for both the acacia tree and the ants, as the tree provides nutrients for the ants while receiving protection in return.
Thank you for sharing this information; I feel more knowledgeable today.
We strive to learn something new every day!
—
This version maintains the educational content while removing informalities and ensuring a more polished presentation.
Fish – Aquatic animals that have gills and fins and live in water. – Many fish swim in schools to protect themselves from predators.
Gills – Organs that allow fish and some other aquatic animals to breathe underwater by extracting oxygen from water. – The gills of a fish are essential for its survival in aquatic environments.
Teeth – Hard structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food. – Sharks have sharp teeth that help them catch and eat their prey.
Adaptations – Changes in an organism’s structure or behavior that help it survive in its environment. – The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation to the cold Arctic climate.
Squirrels – Small mammals known for their bushy tails and ability to climb trees, often found in forests and urban areas. – Squirrels gather and store nuts to prepare for the winter months.
Trees – Large plants with a trunk, branches, and leaves, which provide oxygen and habitats for many species. – Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
Thorns – Sharp, pointed structures on plants that protect them from being eaten by animals. – The thorns on a rose bush deter herbivores from eating its leaves.
Ants – Small insects that live in colonies and are known for their complex social structures and teamwork. – Ants work together to build their nests and find food for the colony.
Herbivores – Animals that eat only plants. – Deer are herbivores that graze on grass and leaves in the forest.
Crustaceans – A group of aquatic animals with hard shells, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. – Crustaceans like crabs have exoskeletons that protect their bodies from predators.
