The study of biomimicry and sustainable design promises great benefits in design applications, offering cost-effective, resourceful, non-polluting avenues for new enterprise. An important final caveat for students to understand is that once copied, species are not expendable. Biomimicry is intended to help people by identifying natural functions from which to pattern human-driven services. Biomimicry was never intended to replace species. Ecosystems remain in critical need of ongoing protection and biodiversity must be preserved for the overall health of the planet. This activity addresses the negative ramifications of species decline. For example, pollinators such as bees are a vital work force in agriculture. They perform an irreplaceable task in ensuring the harvest of most fruit and vegetable crops. In the face of the unexplained colony collapse disorder, we are only now beginning to understand how invaluable these insects are in keeping food costs down and even making the existence of these foods possible for humans.

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain why angiosperms are the dominant form of plant life in most terrestrial ecosystems
Describe the main parts of a flower and their functions
Detail the life cycle of a typical gymnosperm and angiosperm
Discuss the similarities and differences between the two main groups of flowering plants

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe the two major innovations that allowed seed plants to reproduce in the absence of water
Explain when seed plants first appeared and when gymnosperms became the dominant plant group
Discuss the purpose of pollen grains and seeds
Describe the significance of angiosperms bearing both flowers and fruit

Explore a few of the ways plants pollinate each other in this video segment from Sexual Encounters of a Floral Kind.

Using biotech skills, students will determine potential locations where pollen was collected and test the qualities and characteristics of a honey sample, including the sugar content and pH. This unit features 4 lessons and 12 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In this extensive lesson, students examine and investigate pictures of pollen grains to determine the likely climate at the time the pollen was shed.

Smithsonian Education presents a series of three lesson plans whose focus is plants and animals in their role as partners in pollination. Each lesson comes complete with clear learning objectives, materials list, subjects covered, detailed procedures, and downloadable accompanying activity sheets. A list of additional resources is also provided.

This site from WebMD Health provides an article entitled, "Something in the Air: Airborne Allergens". Includes detailed information on why some people are allergic to certain substances, while others are not. Symptoms of airborne allergies are also discussed, as well as specific airborne allergies (pollen, mold, dust mites, animals, etc.).

Students are introduced to the concepts of air pollution and air quality. The three lesson parts focus on the prerequisites for understanding air pollution. First, students use M&Ms to create a pie graph that expresses their understanding of the composition of air. Next, students watch and conduct several simple experiments to develop an understanding of the properties of air (it has mass, it takes up space, it can move, it exerts pressure, it can do work). Finally, students develop awareness and understanding of the daily air quality using the Air Quality Index (AQI) listed in the newspaper. In an associated literacy activity, students explore the environmental history timeline.