Do Now What is a living thing? What is a living thing?

Over the next several weeks we will be engaging in biology investigations using living ORGANISMS to explore some important ideas about life. Over the next several weeks we will be engaging in biology investigations using living ORGANISMS to explore some important ideas about life. An organism is “any living thing” An organism is “any living thing”

Life is diverse, that is, there are many different kinds of organisms on Earth. One of the millions of different organisms on Earth is the milkweed bug. Life is diverse, that is, there are many different kinds of organisms on Earth. One of the millions of different organisms on Earth is the milkweed bug. Here is one milkweed bug. We will observe the milkweed bugs for several weeks to see what we can find out about life on Earth. Here is one milkweed bug. We will observe the milkweed bugs for several weeks to see what we can find out about life on Earth.

Rules for Observations 1. Do NOT open the petri dishes. 1. Do NOT open the petri dishes. 2. Use hand lenses for observations only. 2. Use hand lenses for observations only. 3. The bugs are ALIVE – treat them with the respect you give living things. 4. Do NOT bang the petri dishes in any way! 3. The bugs are ALIVE – treat them with the respect you give living things. 4. Do NOT bang the petri dishes in any way! 5. Record what you see in your record sheet. 5. Record what you see in your record sheet.

Observations Describe in detail the structures milkweed bugs use to get from place to place. Describe in detail the structures milkweed bugs use to get from place to place. Describe in detail how milkweed bugs get information about their environment. Describe in detail how milkweed bugs get information about their environment. Describe the milkweed bug’s mouth. Describe the milkweed bug’s mouth.

Observation Answers 1. They use their 6 legs to get from one place to another. 1. They use their 6 legs to get from one place to another. 2. They use their antennae to sense and feel their environment. 2. They use their antennae to sense and feel their environment. 3. They use a proboscis to pierce into their food and suck out the oils. 3. They use a proboscis to pierce into their food and suck out the oils.

Pattern 1 Pattern 2 Back Side Belly Side Back Side Belly Side

In nature, organisms often live with others of their kind. We could learn more about milkweed bug interactions if we were able to raise a lot of them. In nature, organisms often live with others of their kind. We could learn more about milkweed bug interactions if we were able to raise a lot of them. What would we need in order to raise a lot of milkweed bugs? What would we need in order to raise a lot of milkweed bugs? One male, one female, a supportive environment that provides air, water, food, and conditions suitable for life One male, one female, a supportive environment that provides air, water, food, and conditions suitable for life

Habitat A habitat is a place where an organism lives. A habitat is a place where an organism lives. If a habitat provides all of the needs for the organisms, the organisms will survive. If not, the organisms will die. If a habitat provides all of the needs for the organisms, the organisms will survive. If not, the organisms will die.

What do organisms need to survive? Air Air Water Water Food Food Space Space

Male and Female Milkweed Bugs How can you tell the difference? Did your group have a male or female bug? How can you tell the difference? Did your group have a male or female bug? Look at the belly side and observe the markings. They will tell you the difference between the male and female. Look at the belly side and observe the markings. They will tell you the difference between the male and female.

The third segment from the tip of the male’s abdomen is solid black on the VENTRAL (belly) side. The same segment on the female side has two large spots with orange in the middle. Also, the female is usually a little larger than the male. The third segment from the tip of the male’s abdomen is solid black on the VENTRAL (belly) side. The same segment on the female side has two large spots with orange in the middle. Also, the female is usually a little larger than the male.

Reproduction We know that nothing lives forever. For milkweed bugs to continue on Earth, new ones must come into being all the time. We know that nothing lives forever. For milkweed bugs to continue on Earth, new ones must come into being all the time. How do milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind? How do milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind? In your habitat bags, you will get one male and one female and be making observations to observe how milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind. In your habitat bags, you will get one male and one female and be making observations to observe how milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind.

Read p Describe a milkweed bug. Include how they eat in description. 1. Describe a milkweed bug. Include how they eat in description. Copy all vocabulary words into notebook (the words are in bold) Copy all vocabulary words into notebook (the words are in bold) Proboscis, exoskeleton, nymphs, molting, instar, incomplete metamorphosis, clutches Proboscis, exoskeleton, nymphs, molting, instar, incomplete metamorphosis, clutches