STR Micro-Lesson: Reindeer Food
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Question
The reindeer food in this image is not an animal, and not exactly a plant. Among the researchers who discovered and investigated its true nature was an amateur scientist and science illustrator who was also the author of a popular series of children’s books. What is it?
Answer
Lichen, several types of which keep some reindeer and caribou alive during the arctic winter, is not one type of living organism, but two: algae and fungus, living in a symbiotic relationship in which the algae carries out photosynthesis while the lichen anchors it firmly to the rock's surface. (Technically, neither the algae or the fungus part of the lichen is considered to be part of the plant kingdom.) Its true nature was investigated by author Beatrix Potter, who wrote a paper detailing her theories in 1897. (For the whole story, see "Of Rabbits and Mycology".)
Micro-Lesson Plan*
Topics: Plant classification, photosynthesis, symbiosis
Download* the enlarged image and show it to your class (using a projector or a color printout). Ask the question above. You may wish to guide students by asking them to try to determine what the gray material is under the yellow material (the surface of a rock), and to think about what grows on rocks.
Once you have elicited or presented the answer, explain the term “symbiosis” and how it applies in this case, and ask students to work in teams or small groups for a few minutes to list as many other examples of symbiosis as they can think of. Discuss answers to ensure that the concept is understood.
More…
Images of reindeer food in the wild (courtesy of Robert Love): lfru Cladina, Dry Tundra
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*STR Micro-Lessons™ are designed as "plug-ins" to support and augment standards-based science teaching and learning. For complete lessons using the Scope on a Rope handheld digital microscope, see the STR Teacher Resources page.
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