Structure & Function Classwork Name: __________________________Classwork #1

4th Grade PSI

The seahorse is an interesting animal that lives in the

ocean. Although they look similar to horses, they are actually a

type of fish! They breathe through gills and have two different

types of fins. The dorsal fin is located on their back and helps

them to move forwards. Two pectoral fins are located behind each

eye and help them to steer.

Seahorses have long, prehensile tails, which means that

they can grasp objects with their tails. Since seahorses are poor

swimmers, they are often found grasping grasses or other objects

underwater.

Seahorses have excellent eyesight and are able to move

their eyes independently from each other. In other words, one eye

can look one way while the other eye looks the opposite way. This

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helps them to look for food as well as to stay away from other

harmful animals.

The snout of seahorses is long and skinny. They poke their

snouts into narrow spaces to find food. Then, they suck the food

up through their snouts, like a vacuum.

Seahorses are very unusual when it comes to having babies.

The female seahorse makes eggs and then places the eggs in a

stomach pouch on the male. The male carries the eggs in his

pouch until they hatch.

With so many different structures, the seahorse is definitely

an interesting animal!

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1. In the chart below, describe the function of each of the

structures.

Structure Function

Gill

Dorsal fin

Pectoral fin

Prehensile tail

Eyes

Snout

Male stomach pouch

2. Look at the structures listed above. Are they internal or external structures? What is the difference between the two?

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Structure & Function Homework Name: __________________________Homework #1

4th Grade PSI

You are diligently working on your science homework when your mom calls you for dinner. You sit down at the table to see that dinner tonight includes a large piece of chicken and a bowl of vegetable soup.

You have been given a knife, a fork and a spoon. In the chart below, describe the structure of each utensil and how you used it to eat your dinner. How does structure fit function?

Utensil Describe structure How does structure fit function?

Knife

Fork

Spoon

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Animal Structures Classwork Name: __________________________Classwork #2

4th Grade PSI

Each statement below describes a structure of an animal. For each one, describe a core function that is addressed by that structure. (Some structures may have more than one function.)

1. Porcupines are covered in sharp spines called quills. When the animal feels threatened, its quills rise.

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2. Many shark teeth are sharp and triangular. They can go through 35,000 teeth in their lifetime!

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3. Male crabs usually have a large front claw which they use to attract females.

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4. Birds often swallow food whole. It is broken into small parts in the gizzard, a structure that is part of the digestive system.

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5. Chameleons are able to change color to blend into their environment.

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Animal Structures Homework Name: __________________________Homework #2

4th Grade PSI

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

The loggerhead sea turtle is the second largest hard-shelled

turtle in the world. On average, adults weight about 300 pounds,

although some can weigh up to 1,000 pounds!

A loggerhead sea turtle begins its life by hatching from an

egg that has been buried under the sand on a beach. After

hatching, the turtle must make its way to the ocean. The moon

and stars create light that reflects on the ocean water. When sea

turtles hatch, they move towards light, as this is what leads them

to the ocean.

Loggerhead sea turtles have a strong shell with large plates

on the back. The turtle uses this armored shell as protection from

other animals. Although the turtles look awkward on land, they are

strong swimmers in the water. They have two flippers in the front

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and two flippers in the back that help them move through the

water.

Loggerhead sea turtles eat many different types of food:

corals, sea urchins, sea stars, fish, plants and clams. They use

their strong beak-like jaws to tear and crush their food.

Loggerhead sea turtles live in water temperatures of 56-82 ⁰F. If the water temperature becomes too cold, sea turtles will go

into shock. In order to avoid this, most sea turtles migrate to

warmer waters when temperatures begin to drop.

Many human activities are harmful for loggerhead sea

turtles. When plastic litter drifts in the ocean, it looks like food. If

sea turtles eat it, the plastic will remain in their stomachs and can

cause the turtles to starve because nothing else can fit into their

stomachs.

By constructing houses and buildings right next to the beach,

humans make it harder for baby sea turtles to find the ocean.

When oceanside houses or businesses leave their lights on at

night, some of the baby turtles get confused and move towards

land instead of following the light over the ocean. By being aware

of how our actions affect the world around us, we can alter our

behaviors to be more respectful of nature.

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In the chart below, identify what structures meet each core function. Describe how each structure enables the sea turtle to carry out the core function.

Core Function Structure Explanation

Growth

Survival

Reproduction

Behavior

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Plant Structures Classwork Name: __________________________Classwork #3

4th Grade PSI

Each statement below describes a plant structure. For each one, describe a core function that is addressed by that structure. (Some structures may have more than one function.)

1. A coconut is actually a seed from the coconut palm tree. The seed can float in water and can travel up to 3,000 miles before reaching land and producing a new plant. The hard outer shell of the coconut helps it to survive long journeys.

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2. Giant kelp are a type of seaweed common in the eastern Pacific Ocean that can grow up to 50 meters (160 feet) tall. They attach to the bottom of the ocean and the leaves reach upwards towards the surface where they absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.

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3. Japanese beetles like to eat geranium flowers. When a beetle bites into a geranium flower, the flower releases a chemical that paralyzes the beetle.

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Plant Structures Homework Name: __________________________Homework #3

4th Grade PSI

Hibiscus

Hibiscus are a type of flowering

plant that produce large, colorful

flowers. They grow best in warm,

humid environments where the

temperature does not drop below 40 ⁰F. The leaves of hibiscus are large and

green. They reach upwards, absorbing

sunlight for photosynthesis.

Hibiscus flowers can be bright

red, pink, white, yellow, orange or

purple. Rising out of the middle of the flower is the stamen, a long

structure that holds pollen. Insects are attracted to the bright

colors of the flowers. When they land on the stamen, they collect

pollen on their bodies. If the insect flies to a neighboring flower

and drops pollen into it, then a seed will form. The seed, in turn,

will grow into a new plant.

As sunlight begins to fade at the end of each day, the

hibiscus flower responds by closing inwards. When sunlight

returns in the morning, the flower petals will open up again.

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Scientists do not yet completely understand why hibiscus flowers

do this. Some scientists believe that, by closing, flowers protect

the pollen from becoming wet. Others believe that the flowers are

protecting themselves from animals or insects that are out at

night. Still others think it may protect the flowers from the drop of

temperature at night.

In the chart below, identify what structures meet each core function. Describe how each structure enables the hibiscus to carry out the core function.

Core Function Structure Explanation

Growth

Survival

Reproduction

Behavior

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Information Processing Classwork Name: __________________________Classwork #4

4th Grade PSI

For the scenarios in #1-3, identify the stimulus and the response.

1. A skunk hears a dog approaching it. The skunk turns around and sprays the dog.

Stimulus - _______________________________________

Response - ______________________________________

2. A mother bird hears her baby birds chirping loudly. She flies back to the nest to check on them.

Stimulus - _______________________________________

Response - ______________________________________

3. You spill a bag of candy on the grass. Ants smell the sugar and quickly move towards it.

Stimulus - _______________________________________

Response - ______________________________________

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4. Create a flowchart showing the three steps of information processing. Use one of the examples from #1-3 to fill in your flowchart.

5. An animal’s actions are guided by information processing. How does memory also affect actions? Give an example.

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Information Processing Homework Name: __________________________Homework #4

4th Grade PSI

Horned Lizard

Horned lizards live in the dry, hot, sandy environments of

western United States and Mexico. These lizards have flat bodies

with horns, or spines, covering the head and body.

The horned lizard has many predators, including hawks,

snakes, wolves and coyotes. Horned lizards have developed an

interesting way to protect themselves from these predators. They

squirt blood out of their eyes! When they feel threatened, they are

able to break the tiny blood vessels at the corners of their eyes.

As a result, blood squirts out of their eyes and can reach up to

five feet away from them. This behavior confuses other animals,

giving the lizard a chance to escape. The blood also has an

unpleasant taste, which makes some animals leave the lizard

alone.

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1. Draw a flowchart illustrating the information processing that occurs when a horned lizard feels threatened.

2. In what system of the body does information processing occur?

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3. What is the name of the structures that detect stimuli from the environment?

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Plant Behavior Classwork Name: __________________________Classwork #5

4th Grade PSI

After learning about plant behavior in science class, you decide to design an experiment that tests the effect of light on plant growth. You follow the procedure below.

Purchase three identical plants from the nursery. Purchase three heat lamps. Place one plant directly underneath a heat lamp. Place one plant 1 meter to the left of a heat lamp. Place one plant 1 meter to the right of a heat lamp. Observe the growth of each plant over several days.

Based on this procedure, what results do you predict? Draw a picture of how you think each plant will look at the end of the experiment by drawing a picture of each one in the flower pots. (The orange sphere represents the heat lamp.)

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Explain why you expect to see these results.

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Why is this type of behavior advantageous for plants?

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Plant Behavior Homework Name: __________________________Homework #5

4th Grade PSI

Design an experiment that will test a plant behavior. You can choose any behavior to test, even if it was not discussed during class.

Come up with an experimental question, a materials list, and a procedure.

Experimental question:

Materials:

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Procedure:

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Answer Key

Structure & Function ClassworkClasswork #1

1.Structure Function

Gills Allows the animal to breathe.Dorsal fin Allows the seahorse to move forwards.

Pectoral fin Allows the seahorse to steer.Prehensile tail Allows the seahorse to grasp objects.

Eyes Allows the seahorse to see, particularly food and predators.Snout Allows the seahorse to find food in small areas.

Male stomach pouch Allows the seahorse eggs to develop.

2. All of the structures are external. External structures are located on the outside of an animal’s body while internal structures are on the inside of an animal’s body.

Structure & Function HomeworkHomework #1Answers may vary slightly. Example:

Utensil Structure FunctionKnife Long with one

sharp edgeI used the sharp edge to cut the chicken into smaller pieces.

Fork Three skinny prongs at the end

I used the prongs to hold the chicken still while I cut it with the knife. I then used the prongs to pick up the small pieces of chicken.

Spoon A curved surface, like a shallow bowl

I used the shallow bowl to hold the liquid soup and carry it to my mouth.

Animal Structures ClassworkClasswork #2Answers may vary slightly. Below are sample answers.

1. The quills help the porcupine to protect itself from predators. It is a way that the animal responds to its environment. Core function: survival and behavior.

2. Shark teeth help the shark to eat. Core function: growth3. The claw helps the male to attract females. Core function: reproduction4. The gizzard breaks apart food and helps the bird to get nutrition. Core function:

growth5. A chameleon’s camouflage helps it to hide from predators and to sneak up on

prey. It also is a way that the animal responds to its environment. Core functions: survival, growth and behavior.

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Animal Structures HomeworkHomework #2

Core Function Structure Explanation

Growth Strong jaws crush food that help the turtle to grow.

Survival The armored back protects the turtle from other animals.

Reproduction Eggs enable the turtles to develop.

BehaviorBaby turtles respond to light by moving towards it.

Turtles respond to cold water temperatures by migrating to warmer waters.

Plant Structures ClassworkClasswork #3

1. The coconut is a seed that grows into a new plant, so it meets the function of reproduction. The hard outer shell of the coconut protects the seed, so it meets the function of survival.

2. The leaves of the kelp absorb sunlight for photosynthesis, so they meet the need of growth.

3. The flower produces a chemical that paralyzes biting insects, so it meets the need of survival. The flower responds to insects by releasing the chemical, so it is an example of a behavior.

Plant Structures HomeworkHomework #3

Core Function Structure Explanation

Growth Leaves absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.

Survival Plants close at night to protect the pollen or to protect itself from cold temperatures or insects.

ReproductionThe stamen contains pollen that is used to create seeds.

The seed grows into a new plant.

Behavior When the sunlight begins to fade, the flower responds by closing up.

Information Processing ClassworkClasswork #4

1. Stimulus – The skunk hears the dog.Response – The skunk sprays the dog.

2. Stimulus – The mother bird hears her chicks.

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Response – The mother bird flies back to the nest.3. Stimulus – Ants smell sugar.

Response – Ants move towards the sugar.4. Stimulus Integration Response

Insert the stimulus and response from questions #1-3. Integration occurs in the brain.

5. Memory works with information processing to shape behavior. Animals will remember the results of information processing and will use it in the future to repeat behavior or refrain from behavior. Examples will vary. Sample example: A thirsty toddler is given a cup with a straw for the first time. She plays around with the straw until she randomly sucks on it and gets a mouthful of liquid. Eventually, through information processing, she figures out that, if she is thirsty, she can suck on the straw to get something to drink. The next time that she is thirsty, she will remember this (MEMORY) and immediately go suck on a straw.

Information Processing HomeworkHomework #4

1. Stimulus: Lizard feels threatened (sees a predator, hears a predator, etc.)Integration: This sensory information is sent to the brain.Response: Tiny blood vessels in the eyes break open and blood squirts from their eyes.

2. Nervous system3. Sensory receptors

Plant Behavior ClassworkClasswork #5

Each plant should grow towards the light. One will grow straight up and the others will grow curved towards the light. Plants respond to light by growing towards it (phototropism). This is advantageous for plants because it allows them to get the most sunlight possible for photosynthesis (growth).

Plant Behavior Homework Homework #5

Answers will vary. This may be a good time to discuss experimental design. Did the procedure actually test the question? Did they have a control group? (If your students do not know the term “control group” yet, you can still check to see that they have something to compare their results to.) Engage their critical thinking skills by predicting the outcomes of their experiments.

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