Mystery Monarch Adaptation
How Does it Help the Creature Survive?

Digging Deeper: Hooked on Hooks! Nature-Inspired Products

  • Click to enlarge the black and white magnified images. How are these the same? How are they different? How do you think their roles might be similar? Can you guess what product you're looking at? Remember, you're looking at greatly magnified pictures.

    A young butterfly's adaptation A product made by people

  • The product on the right is Velcro! Think about Velcro's job. Where have you seen or used it? How is its role similar to the role of the young butterfly's cremaster? How do you think it works?
    Here's how: Velcro has matched nylon loops and hooks that makes it hold fast to itself.

    A scientist didn't just dream up Velcro out of thin air; he was inspired by another of nature's adaptations. What is it? Hint: It's part of a plant. Click below to see a picture of it.

 


National Science Standards

Science as Inquiry
Ask a question about objects, organisms, or events. (K-4)

Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, reproduction. (K-4)

Life Science
Living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. (5-8)