#osubi211

[headdnodic]

Within the phylum of Mollusca, cephalopods are highly modified from their relatives of the gastropods and bivalves- having incased their reduced mantle inside of their body tissue for structural support instead of protection, and having enlarged and highly adapted feet that are now arms and tentacles; its morphology makes it tricky to place in the mollusk phylum upon first glance. Being able to dissect the preserved squid allowed my biology group to locate a unique trait of the mollusks phylum, the radula. Cephalopods radula is found more internally compared to other mollusks, behind the buccal cavity and two beak like structures which are also unique to cephalopods.

[headdnodic]

Fungi may be familiar to most people, as their fruiting bodies make for great additions to salads; but many people aren’t as familiar with the idea that fungi is more closely related to humans than it is plants! Fungi take on a range of effects on plants, such as being one of the most important symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing mycorrhizae, to wiping out entire sections of forest such as the Honey mushroom. Here we have a fungus that is slightly in between: tar spots. This fungal disease is only cosmetic, but very pervasive and can only be managed by controlling the spread and burning the infect leaves.