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Unitary and Modular Organisms: Their Response to

Environmental Changes and Perturbation1

Casey Jon VeaGroup 3 Section U-2L

August 3, 2011

1A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology

150, Principles of Ecology laboratory under Mrs. Charina Grace B. Banaay , Ist semester

2011-2012

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ABSTRACT

Every individuals or organisms dwell in a place where well suited for

their growth and development, survival and reproduction. When

changes happened to their environment expected changes will also

be observed and adaptation mechanisms are produced. This studyfocuses on the responses of modular and solitary organisms under their

normal environmental condition and on their disturbed or changed

environment. The study further focuses on how long the unitary

organisms respond to certain disturbances and how modular organisms

respond to lessen the effect of environmental changes happening on

their surroundings. Ant’s behavior in three different activities under

normal conditions was observed and their response also under

disturbed conditions was also observed by inducing commotion to their

environment. Moreover, ants were also tested on which food they are

most likely be attracted, results showed that they prefer sweeter foodsources rather than the salty ones. On the other hand, two sets of

modular organisms were subjected to environmental changes, a set for

the sun-loving plants (Cyperus and Althernanthera) and shade-tolerant

plants (Zebrina and Talinum) were interchangeably exposed to each

other’s environment. Results generally showed that when plants are put

into an environment where they are not used to, they tend to grow

poorly and vice versa. But some developed mechanisms to lessen the

impact of the stress applied to them. In conclusion, unitary animals

adjust faster than modular organism because they communicate and

work with each other but modular organisms have unique ways of

adjusting to environmental changes as well.

INTRODUCTION

Ecology was coined by Ernest Haeckel back in 1869. It was derived from two

Latin words originally “Oikos” ” which mean house or place to live and “Logos” that

means a discussion or study. Literally, ecology means the study of organism “at home”

in their native environment. Also, it is the study of the interaction of the organism in its

environment.

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Every organism, either modular or unitary, has a specific medium or environment

where they live and thrive in and which they are continually adapted.

Particular organism’s habitat or the locality that surrounds it is part of its

environment. The said habitat has also an abundance of different organisms, plants,

plant-like organisms and animals, in which they continually interact ecologically with

each other. This habitat sustains life by giving food, shelter and climatic conditions that

are finely suitable for its survival, growth and reproduction.

Different conditions contribute different factors on the development of the

organism. Climatic factors like Temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, water and some

atmospheric gases are essential on the growth of the organism. These factors

contribute by giving resources such as nutrients water source and many others that are

essential to their growth and development.

So when one of these climatic factors fails to give its vital role and contribution,

the organism needs to adapt rapidly and figure out on how to maintain homeostasis

with its environment. Also, organisms also need to encounter the variations happening

in nature. Adaptations on other organism have also evolved in response to their harsh

environment.

Many organisms have also preferred such conditions that can give exactly what

they need in their development. Some plants favor, for example, shady environment

where there is less exposure to sunlight. While others, they prefer the full effect of the

said environmental factor. This only mean one thing, even though they are of the same

structures and needs, they still opt for what is better for their development.

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This exercise uses the two kinds of organism namely unitary and modular.

Modular organisms are characterized by indeterminate and unpredictable growth and

development. While, unitary organisms, on the other hand are organisms that have

highly determinate forms governed by their genetic make-up. Their growth patterns

from fertilization to maturity until death are continuous and predictable.

The responses of modular organisms, specifically plants, to changes in

environment were observed. Two sets composed of two plants each were observed.

The sun-loving plants, Alternanthera and Cyperus and the shade-tolerated plants,

Zebrina and Talinum, are used as experimental species of each categories of plant

environment.

Althernanthera reaches a height of 5 to 15 inches and grows lowly.

Alternanthera needs plenty of light to grow and form dark leaves. In open aquariums it

grows willingly up the surface, and like other difficult plants growth improves

considerably if CO2 is added

Cyperus is a species of sedge native to Africa, southern and central Europe and

southern Asia. It is a perennial plant that may reach a height of up to 40 cm. Cyperus is

one of the most invasive weeds known, because it’s a tough competitor for ground

nutrients and it releases substances harmful to other plants. The underground tubers

caused the problem because of its intensive system and resistance to herbicides. On

the other hand, it has a lot of uses, despite its bad reputation it has benefits on

medicine especially for wounds, bruises and some digestive system infection. It has also

a nutritive value and being eaten on some part of Africa.

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Zebrina is more commonly known as Inch plant or wandering Jew. It has a zebra-

patterned leaves at the axial side, while on the abaxial side is uniformly deep magenta.

It has also uses, it is very easy to cultivate and even can be an invasive species if not

maintained. For it medicinal uses, it is commonly used by Mexicans as a cold herbal

tea, and also used as lubricant in china. Its sap can cause skin irritation when prolonged

handle.

Talinum is easy to reproduce and very economical since anyone can plant it in

any kind of soil. In university of Ilorin, Nigeria, they have done experimental work on

Talinum on its value to protect the liver, able to reduce cholesterol on experimental

animals. On the other hand, Talinum absorbs all type of metals where it planted,

including heavy metals more than any plants as well as Arsenic.

These set of plants have different conditional or environmental environment.

Some of them grow comfortably with the full effect of sunlight directly overhead them,

while some downgrades and can’t handle the stress being applied to them when

being subjected to direct sunlight, instead they prefer being on shade where they are

well adapted to.

Majority of the plants grow suitably to the extent of full sunlight and some opt the

minimum effect of light but in anyway all plants need light in order to survive. The

amount of shade or light a plant is growing under wholly and directly affects the mass

of vegetation and as well as the flowering and fruiting features (Nuss, 2004)

Likewise, Nuss (2004) also stated that plants that have grown under shaded

conditions will not be as dense or thick compared to plants that have grown under the

full sunlight effect. Usually, flowers of plants under shaded circumstances are fewer.

Frequently according to him, the unique foliage colors of plants or the fall colors of

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leaves like maroon color of Weigela and red leaf color of Maple will not be as intense

as or maybe even greener in color when subjected to shaded conditions.

Meanwhile, according to Grime (2001) oh his experiments on modular organisms,

plants’ response to shady environments have affected their metabolism and

production of structures. Such of these structures that have adapted to this kind of

environment are the shoot appendages like the large thin leaves and long internodes

and petioles. In addition, plants subjected to this kind of habitat produce a small

amount of dry matter, retain photosynthate in the shoot and the expense of root

growth. Furthermore, he also noted that shade-tolerant plants have low respiratory

rates.

On the other hand, Bjorkman and Jurik’s work (Bjorkman et al. 1972a, 1972b; Jurik

et al. 1979; Bjorkman 1981, as cited in Givnish 1988) on identifying traits as adaptations

on irradiance level based on a detailed study of the photosynthetic light response of

leaves showed that leaves of plants that have grown under, or even naturally limited to

high irradiance levels normally have higher “photosynthetic rates per unit area at those

levels than do leaves of plants restricted or acclimated to low irradiance levels, and

vice versa.”

In response to photosynthesis, plants also have adapted to the availability of

light used to produce their own food. Abundance of light has affected the color of

leaves of some plant where photosynthetic pigments change the color of the leaves of

plants.

As stated by Gilbert et.al. (1953) this is because, when a series of fluctuating

warm temperature, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing bring the color change

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in some leaves of plants like the autumn leaves of plants in America. During these

alternating days, sugars are produced in the leaf but the cool nights and the continuing

closing of the veins; prevent the said sugars from moving out. As a result of this

condition, leaves produce colorful Anthocyanin pigments, which give it a hint of red,

purple and even crimson.

Also, Carotenoid pigments, helps in fueling photosynthesis. Carotenoids function

by absorbing wavelengths of light not easily and readily absorbed by chlorophyll.

Therefore, in dark colored leaf plants that used Anthocyanins and Carotenoids

are sun-loving plants and can easily photosynthesize using different wavelength of light

producing photosynthates. But when these plants are transferred to a shaded region

where there is less effect of light and less stress to leaves, chlorophyll can easily function

thus being dominant over the other two pigments, as a result the color of the leaves

change from its original dark colors into green.

Another characteristics that plants have is that plant leaves secrete a waxy film

or membrane that covers the leaves and other dermal tissues above the ground. As a

result the leaves of the plants are shiny and look like plastic.

The cuticle functions much like the human skin; it protects the plant from losing

too much water and serving as a barrier against certain bacteria as well. The film

covers both the top and the bottom of leaves but the concentration of plant cuticle is

more concentrated on the top or the axial side of the leaves because this side of the

plant is more exposed to sun, wind and pests more than the other part of the plants.

(Gilbert et.al., 1953)

These kinds of characteristics and adaptations are naturally occurring for plants

or modular organisms in general but take a lot longer of time to respond so compare to

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unitary organisms. This is possible because of the many unique abilities of unitary

organisms that they use to thrive and adapt to their environment.

There are two types of adaptations done by animals; these are structural

adaptation and behavioral adaptation. Structural adaptation is the kind of adaptation

where physical features are formed in response to the nature of their environment,

while, behavioral adaptation, on the other hand, are the things the organism do to

survive.

Unique behavior of animals has a great contribution on their survival, growth and

development. Characteristics such as communication, defense, learning, food

cultivation, locomotion, cooperation and competition and most importantly

relationship with other organisms help them adapt to their environment faster and

survive successfully.

In this study, ants were used to demonstrate the behavior of animals, specifically

insects, in their natural and normal environment. Also, stress induced factors such as

disturbances were also given and their responses and the way they deal with the stress

were observed.

Ants are social insects, living in colonies. They are one of the major subgroups of

the insects order Hymenoptera, which also includes bees and wasps (Hickman et al,

2004).. Ant societies have division of labor, communication between individuals, and an

ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been

an inspiration and subject of study.

Ants have the ability to communicate through the use of pheromones.

Pheromones in ants serve as chemical signals which their antennae distinguish as smells.

Through the intensity of scents and smells, ants can determine direction and provide

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information. For example, when hunting food, they leave traces of pheromones on the

surface of the soil from the food source to their colony to serve as direction for other

ants to follow. When the food source is consumed, trails were no more left by returning

ants until the scent disappears (Shorey. 17976).

Behavior such as communication present in ants allows them to deal with the

change in their environment. Such instances were displayed when a recognized route

to the food source is obstructed, the hunter of food abandon the path to establish new

and better routes until slowly finding the best trail. But more than trail making, when

crushed, an ant releases pheromone to alarm closely nearby ants from the danger and

attracts more ants to stay away and keep distance.

In the Philippines, we can’t deny that our country is very r ich in terms of

biodiversity. A lot of still unknown plants and insects or maybe animals are waiting there

for discovery. This study concentrates on the responses of organism, either unitary or

modular in terms of artificially and naturally induced stresses, where organisms are

tested on how well they receive the stress given to them. Organisms have the skills to

perfectly adapt to their new environment but not all, some of these organisms die when

the stress applied to them were too much for them. So it is very important and

necessary to gain insight on the effect of not only naturally induced stresses but also

artificially or human induced stresses.

This study focuses on the responses of modular and solitary organisms under their

normal environmental condition and on their disturbed or changed environment. The

study furthermore focuses on how long or how fast unitary organisms adopt or adjust to

their surroundings when disturbances are stimulated to their environment, also it focuses

on the response of modular organisms when subjected to other environmental

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conditions other on what they are used to and the noticeable changes on their

morphological characteristics. Specifically the objectives were to:

1. observe forms and features that differentiate unitary from modular

organisms; and in modular organisms, genets from ramets; and

2. differentiate the responses of a unitary organisms from that of a modular

organism and compare some aspects of their physical and biological

environments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Responses of Modular organisms to change in the environment.

Two prepared potted samples of each type of experimental plants that naturally

inhibits open grassland (Cyperus and Althernanthera sp.) and forest interior (Talinum

and Zebrina sp. )were obtained, one set served as the control sample and the

other set sample for the experimental part. Some characteristics like leaf area, leaf

angle, internode length, leaf color, and herbivore damage were observed for each

two samples of each type of plant on its natural environment.

Five (5) young leaves of each type of experimental plants were measured for its

leaf length and width and by using Cain and Castrol’s (1959) formula, the leaf area

was determined using a ruler. Using the same leaves, leaf angle was also measured

with the use of a protractor from the insertion of the leaves comparative to the stem.

Also internode lengths were measured relative to the five (5) young leaves .These

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measurements were repeated five (5) times on each characteristic, where

measurements were taken for quantitative data, then were summed for the mean.

The leaves’ morphological features like leaf color and the presence or absence

of herbivore damage were additionally noted.

One set or one of each type of the shade tolerated plants was transferred from

their natural environment to an open sunlight environment. The same is true with the

sun-loving plants where they were transferred to the forest interior. Another set of

the experimental plant were left to their natural environment that served as the

experimental control.

For the whole duration of the experiment that lasted for two weeks, changes

were observed and other characteristics of the transferred plants were noted and

compared with the experimental controls by measuring the same measurements

done on the earlier part of the experiment. Weather conditions were also noted for

the whole period of the experiment.

Observations on the responses of sun-loving plants were noted on table 1.5 and

the responses of shade-tolerant plants were noted on table 1.6.

B. Responses of ants under undisturbed conditions

Group of ants were located at the back of the Institute of Biological Sciences

building and was used as the experimental species for the experiment. Their habitat

was described.

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The duration on how long they execute their three activities such as walking,

carrying their food and the touching of their antenna were measured using a

stopwatch and was noted on table 1.1.

C. Responses of ants under disturbed conditions

Different disturbances such as dropping of water in their habitat, putting a

matchstick in their pathway and throwing a stone to their hill were stimulated to

observe their response under disturbed conditions.

Ants’ ways of dealing with the disturbance were observed. Time was also

measured and noted from the start of the disturbances until the time they resume to

their normal activities.

All observations were noted on table 1.2.

D. Responses of ants to different food source

Tuna flakes placed on a tissue paper served as bait and were placed

near the colony of the ants. When the bait was taken notice by the ants, it was

removed and other food sources, fish food, powdered energy drink, Coffeemate,

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powdered juice, salt and white sugar, were placed in different places around the

colony of ants.

The baits were observed and time was noted until the first ant or the “scout

ant” had taken notice of the food sources.

The food sources were still observed and the recruitment rate or the number

of ants that followed the “scout ant” in the said food source was counted using a

counter and recorded every 5 minutes within 30 minutes.

Data observed was documented on table 1.3.

RESULTS

Table 1.1. Behavior of ants under undisturbed conditions

Normal activities

Time Elapsed (sec)

Trials

Mean

1 2 3

Walking 18 18 33.09 23.03

Carrying food 56.41 56.30 26 46.24

Touching of antenna 0.18 0.32 0.81 0.44

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Table 1.2. Behavior of ants under disturbed conditions

Table 1.3. Food response of ants based on the number of workers recruited to the food

source for the first 30 minutes.

Food Response

(+ / -)

Time

ants

firstnoticed

the

food

(min)

Number of visiting workers every after five minutes

for 30 minutes

5 10 15 20 25 30

Fish Food - 97 1 0 5 0 0 0

Milo + 49 2 17 18 26 26 32

Coffeemate - 43 0 0 0 0 0 0

Powdered

Juice

+ 79 0 3 2 1 2 2

Salt - 89 0 0 0 0 0 0

White sugar + 35 0 5 15 24 30 39

Nature of Disturbance Response Time elapsed from start of

disturbance to resumption

of normal activities

(sec)

1. Dropping ofwater

Their line was broken; theypanicked; they scattered

63.97

2. Putting

matchstick

along their trail

They stop from advancing;

ants seem confused; after

sometime they found

another route

112.88

3. Throwing stone

to their hill

The colony scattered; they

panicked

80.40

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Scientific name of test plant 1 Cyperus Scientific name of plant 2 Althernanthera.

Table 1.5. Responses of sun plants under natural and modified conditions.

{C}- Control Plant, {E}-Experimental Plant

Scientific name of test plant 1 Zebrina Scientific name of plant 2 Talinum.

Table 1.6. Responses of shade plants under natural and modified conditions.

{C}- Control Plant, {E}-Experimental Plant

Parameter

Observed

Test

Plant

At the start of the

experiment

One week after Two weeks after

{C} {E} {C} {E} {C} {E}

Leaf Area

(cm2)

1

2.93 2.3654 3.064 2.856 3.41 2.064

2

6.802 4.36 6.162 3.67 4.85 5.452

Leaf Angle

(˚)

1

- - - - - -

2

17.2 44 24.4 38.8 50 40

Internode

Length (cm)

1

- - - - - -2

1.66 1.7 1.76 1.7 1.68 1.88

Parameter

Observed

Test

Plant

At the start of the

experiment

One week after Two weeks after

{C} {E} {C} {E} {C} {E}

Leaf Area

(cm2)

15.12 26.17 6.384 19.98 6.058 10.65

2

11.604 14.86 12.65 20.384 13.472 21.344

Leaf Angle

(˚)

1

38 64 47.8 45 59.2 61.2

2

13 30 28 40 33 55

Internode

Length (cm)

1

2.7 5.5 3.4 4.9 3.4 5

2

1.24 4.42 1.34 4.5 1.42 4.62

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DISCUSSION







morphological characteristics.

As seen on table 1.1, the behavior of ants normal conditions were observed. The

time that they perform and execute an activity under the normal condition were also

noted. Based on the results, the touching of antenna is the activity they perform the

fastest with a mean time of 0.44 seconds. Next is the walking (23.03 sec) and because

ants can carry 10 to 50 times heavier than their body weight the activity that they

perform least fast is carrying their food (46.24sec).

We all know that ants communicate and use pheromones and scents to build

trail leading to their food source (Shorey, 1976). Disturbances can cause confusion to

ants when new scent was added on their trail or that the scent was lost. The responses

made by ants to such disturbances were also studied. Results showed (table 1.2) that

when a matchstick was used as a blockage to their trail, they stop and found another

route; this took them 112.88 seconds to accomplish.

Other form of disturbances such as threat to their hill was similarly surveyed. First

was dropping of water to their hill, responses of ants was that their line was broken, they

panicked and they scattered to different directions. The disturbance cost them 63.97

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seconds before they continue to their normal activity. When threatened, ants secrete

pheromone to alert nearby ants to not come close to them and should go away

(Shorey, 1976). This response was observed when a stone was thrown to their hill, as

expected the colony scattered and panicked once the stone hit the center of their hill.

80.40 seconds passed before the ants went back to their normal activity.

The ability of ants to relay information to other ants about an existing food source

was studied. Results showed that white sugar was preferred by most of the ants, with a

35 total number of recruited ants, and it was the first food bait to be noticed by the

colony (35 seconds). Meanwhile, the salt was the least of the colony’s favorite food bait

with the least number of recruitment rate after 30 minutes of 0. Same is true with the fish

food, it took about 97 seconds for the scout ant to took notice of the bait and even

though after 30 minutes of observation was done, 0 number of ants were observe to like

the said food bait.

This incident where ants choose their food can be further explained by the

composition of food. White sugar is composed mainly of sucrose. Sucrose is a sugar,

when decomposed yields to two simpler sugar molecules: glucose and fructose.

Sucrose is the most soluble among disaccharide sugars. Thus, ants prefer sugar than any

of the other food source because when sucrose decomposes, glucose and fructose

are the easiest and fastest sugar that can enter the bloodstream or the system thus

giving the ants calories for energy at a very short span of time.

On the other hand, responses of modular organism under natural and disturbed

conditions were also observed and noted. Two sets of sample plants were used with

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two plants per se, Talinum and Zebrina for the shade-tolerant set of plants and

Althernathera and Cyperus for the sun-loving set of plants.

Based on the data gathered for the responses of sun plants under their natural

and modified environment on table 1.5, modifications or adjustments were generally

done by the plants. The leaf surface area of Cyperus increased at its normal

environment, from 2.93 cm2 from the start of the experiment to 3.41 cm2 2 weeks after.

Meanwhile, when the experimental plants were subjected to environmental stress or

change, the surface area generally decreased (from 2.3654 cm2 to 2.064 cm2). As

stated by Grime (2001), shady environments have affected the plant’s metabolism and

production of structures, thus explaining that the control plant for Cyperus continues to

grow under its normal condition while the experimental Cyperus on the shade grows

slowly due to the effect of low sunlight which the plants are not used to naturally.

Althernathera under the normal condition decreased its leaf surface area from

6.802 cm2 to 4.85 cm2 and from after two weeks of observation. The experimental

Althernathera plant, on the other hand, increases its surface area increasing from 4.36

cm2 to 5.452 cm2 after two weeks of experiment. Also, some physical changes were

also observed, after a week of transfer from its natural environment, the experimental

Althernanthera changes color from its dark red and maroon color to totally green

colored leaves. Like Nuss (2004) noted, plants natural dark foliage color changes to

green when subjected to shaded regions. Dark colored plants like Althernanthera uses

pigments like Anthocyanins, Carotenoids and a small amount of Chlorophyll which

absorbed different light wavelength at different light intensity (Gilbert et.al., 1953).

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The Althernanthera plant under normal condition uses the two dark pigments

which utilizes light wavelengths not easily absorbed by Chlorophyll, thus being

dominant explaining the color of the leaves. This also explains why the leaves of the

plant decreases because it does not need any larger surface area to absorbed light

since it originally uses the dark pigments to produce photosynthates. On the other

hand, the surface area of the experimental plant increases because it shifted from the

dark colored pigments to Chlorophyll. The intensity of the light under shaded conditions

is very low thus Chlorophyll can then easily absorbed light wavelengths to produce

photosynthates thus becoming dominant over the two dark pigments. The increase in

surface area was due to the competition of light under canopy. There is a very low light

intensity under shaded condition, so in response the plant increases its leaf surface area

to catch more light needed in the production of the plant’s food.

Experiment was also conducted to determine the responses of shade tolerant

plants when subjected to environmental stress. Based on the results showed on Table

1.6 for Zebrina’s leaf area, leaf angle and internode length increases under normal

conditions. This means the plant under normal condition grew successfully, its

metabolism is very active and the development of other structures is not affected. On

the other hand, the Zebrina plant under modified environment exhibited backward

growth. The leaf area, leaf angle and internode length decreases over the two week

experiment. Also, observations showed that the experimental plant’s leaves were shed

and was dehydrated. This is due to the large original large area and the thickness of

leaves. With this composition of leaves, it is expected that faster rate of transpiration will

occur, dehydrating the plant and wilting the leaves. The plant still maintains its color.

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Oppositely, the Talinum plant both experimental and control exhibited natural

growth. Characteristics such as leaf area, leaf angle and Internode length all increased

in size (Table 1.6.). Observations on the other hand showed that the leaves of the

control plant are greener compared to the control plant. This is because the Talinum

plant is very well adapted to the shaded environment, also presence of plant growth

was observed on the bottom of the plant. On the other hand the experimental plant

after two weeks of exposure to the sun, some of the stems are withered, presence of

growth was also noted on the upper portion of the plant and lastly the experimental

plant’s leaves are shinier compared to the control plant’s leaves. The shiny component

is believed to be cuticle. According to Gilbert et.al, (1953), a cuticle was secreted

mostly on the top portion of the leaves to compensate for the water loss. Cuticle is film

that lessens transpiration rate on the leaf area.

All in all, unitary organisms respond more quickly to stimuli induced to their

environment. This is because to the reason that they can move, they can communicate

and they can work with each other in order to survive. Contrary, modular organisms are

less developed compared unitary organisms. Instead of working with each other to

lessen the impact of the stress applied to them they developed structures that can

compensate to their loss. They adapt very well, in order to survive but unlike unitary

organisms, they are less fast in doing so.

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION







morphological characteristics.

Ants were used to represent unitary organisms. There behaviors under normal

conditions were observed. Among the three chosen normal activity of the ants, the

antenna touching is the fastest activity with a mean time of 0.44 seconds while the

carrying of their food is the longest activity they do with a mean time of 46.24 seconds.

Ants were also subjected to disturbed conditions. Different disturbances such as

throwing stone to their hill, putting matchstick to their along their trail and dropping of

water was stimulated. There responses were they panicked and their line was broken.

When putting a matchstick along their trail they tend to build a new path, thus longer

time for them to overcome the said disturbance with a time of 112.88 seconds.

Ants were also offered with different food source and their response to these

food sources was noted. Among the many pool of choices of foods, the ants tend to

eat more the white sugar. This is because of the component of the sugar. The ants tend

to choose the easiest to digest and the source of energy.

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Modular organisms were also subjected to stresses. Such stress is subjecting sun

loving plants (Cyperus and Althernanthera) into shaded regions and the Shade-tolerant

(Zebrina and Talinum) plants were subjected to a place where there is a maximum

exposure of sun. Generally, when plants are subjected to the environment where they

are not used to or adapted they tend to grow poorly, they lose leaves and they wilt. But

when subjected to their normal environment, they grow healthy. But some plants, they

produce adapting mechanism, such as the cuticle of Talinum and the color changing

of the Althernanthera, to still live and get use of the environment.

In conclusion, organisms when subjected to environmental perturbation they

have the tendency to overcome the stresses either by developing new ways or to

produce adaptive mechanisms in response to the changes in their environment. Unitary

organisms are most likely the fastest organisms to adapt to a certain changes because

of their ability to communicate, group and work with each other. On the other hand,

modular organisms have a very unique way of adjusting to their changing environment,

thy develop features that can help them overcome the stress applied to them.

REFERENCES

Aligui, G. Talinum (Talinum triangulare). Retrieved July 9, 2011, from

http://gonatural.com.ph/herbalblog/talinum-talinum-triangulare/

Cyperus rotondus. (n.d.). In Wikepedia. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_rotundus

Gilbert, S. et al. (1953). A textboopk on general botany. (5th ed.). New York: The

McMillian Company.







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Grime, J.P. (2001). Plant strategies, vegetation processes, and ecosystem properties (2nd

ed.). West Sussex P019 1UD, England. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Hickman, J. et al. (2006). Integrated principles of zoology (13th ed.). Cleveland;

McGraw-Hill .

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Horticulture. (2009). Shade

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full, bio150!!

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