Living organisms in the world are defined by being "a body made up of organs, organelles, or other parts that work together to carry on the various processes of life." This means that they have to be able to consume oxygen, food, and water, while releasing waste toxins such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. In our recent class study of our bottle ecosystems, we looked closely and observed many organisms that were inhabited in our bottles, and how they manage to absorb oxygen and release toxins.
For example, we observed a type of fish, guppies, and noticed that they have gills that allow them to breathe, and excrete nitrogen through ammonia (in their urine).
Additionally, we also looked closely at pill bugs, and was able to figure out that they breathe through gills as well, being more closely related to marine organisms than other types of insects. However, pill bugs don’t urinate—they have an ability to tolerate ammonia gas, that passes directly through their exoskeleton.
Lastly, we observed the earthworms that played as the independent variable of our ecosystem. We found out that earthworms breathe through their skin and that the oxygen goes directly into their bloodstream. However, for this process to be possible, the outermost layer of the earthworm must be moist. Therefore, mucus is excreted onto the skin to keep it moist, to allow the earthworm to breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
For example, we observed a type of fish, guppies, and noticed that they have gills that allow them to breathe, and excrete nitrogen through ammonia (in their urine).
Additionally, we also looked closely at pill bugs, and was able to figure out that they breathe through gills as well, being more closely related to marine organisms than other types of insects. However, pill bugs don’t urinate—they have an ability to tolerate ammonia gas, that passes directly through their exoskeleton.
Lastly, we observed the earthworms that played as the independent variable of our ecosystem. We found out that earthworms breathe through their skin and that the oxygen goes directly into their bloodstream. However, for this process to be possible, the outermost layer of the earthworm must be moist. Therefore, mucus is excreted onto the skin to keep it moist, to allow the earthworm to breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.