In this unit, students begin their exploration of animals and animal adaptations by reading a collection of nonfiction texts.

This video segment from NOVA: "Animal Imposters" shows the lightning-fast strike of the anglerfish. [1:30]

Students are introduced to the classification of animals and animal interactions. Students also learn why engineers need to know about animals and how they use that knowledge to design technologies that help other animals and/or humans. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.

Cocos Island, a remote volcanic summit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, serves as a beacon for hungry predators, including thousands of hammerhead sharks that travel here each year in search of prey. This video segment from NOVA: "Island of Sharks" depicts some of the common predator-prey interactions that take place in the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the island.

Cocos Island, a remote volcanic summit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, serves as a beacon for hungry predators, including thousands of hammerhead sharks that travel here each year in search of prey. This video segment from NOVA: "Island of Sharks" depicts some of the common predator-prey interactions that take place in the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the island. Includes background reading and discussion questions. [3:05]

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:

Describe the effects of abiotic factors on the composition of plant and animal communities in aquatic biomes
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the ocean zones
Summarize the characteristics of standing water and flowing water freshwater biomes

In this video, students learn about lemon sharks and how their grazing habits help keep mangrove ecosystems healthy. [3:57]

This article highlights hands-on or multimedia lesson plans about the tundra and ecosystem concepts. Science lessons are paired with suggested literacy lesson plans. All lessons are aligned to national standards.

Understand the role that producers play in the ecosystem.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.

Understand the predator-prey relationship in an ecosystem.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.

This article discuss basic ecological concepts such as food chains and webs within the context of the tundra.

In the face of danger, what's a spineless animal to do? This video segment introduces the concept of camouflage -- how animals achieve it and how this form of disguise benefits both predators and prey. Footage from NOVA: "Animal Impostors." [3:12]

This lesson plan requires students to make an inference (hypothesis) about two animals based on the tracks they leave behind. Students are asked to write a story explaining their inference.

In this Nature video, watch a battle between a loggerhead turtle and a shark. [2:41]

Nice informational site about the order Carnivora. The opening page lists members of the order and briefly describes relationships between humans and carnivores. It links to pages on evolution of carnivores, the ecological roles of carnivores, classification, and physical characteristics of carnivores.