strategy
Turrets ventilate nestleaf-cutting ant
Nests of leaf-cutting ants are self-ventilation thanks to two different types of turrets that take advantage of wind.
strategy
Tubes help cool muscles, transport gasesinsects
Insects deliver oxygen to flight muscles and cool the muscles via a tracheal system.
strategy
Tube feet assist locomotion, feedinglined sea star
The tube feet of echinoderms move and handle food using a hydraulic system.
strategy
Trenches gather waterflying saucer trench beetle
Trenches created by the flying saucer trench beetle collect water because the edges are above the sand surface and perpendicular to fog-bearing wind.
strategy
Trees have extreme longevitybristlecone pine
Bristlecone pines can survive for thousands of years in harsh environments by shutting down non-essential processes.
strategy
Trees generate pressureoaks
Oak trees can generate pressures of 500,000 Pa through evaporation.
strategy
Transparent patches of mantle focus lightgiant clam
The mantle of a giant clam focuses sunlight for the algae it hosts using transparent patches.
strategy
Tongue protected from thornsgiraffe
The tongues and mouths of giraffes and other ungulates are protected when eating thorny plants because they are leathery.
strategy
Tongue picks up liquidhummingbird
Hummingbird tongue tips dynamically trap nectar by rapidly changing their shape during feeding.
strategy
Tongue lures fishalligator snapping turtle
The tongue of an alligator snapping turtle aids fish capture via a worm-like lure.
strategy
Tongue cuts through fish scaleslamprey
The tongue of a lamprey can cut through fish scales and skin due to its abrasiveness.
strategy
Tissues create hydrostatic pressureplants
Tissues of plants generate hydrostatic pressure by injecting solutes into a confined space and allowing water to enter.
strategy
Tightly packed stems insulate against cold
The stems of cushion plants protect from the cold via tight packing.
strategy
Three-chambered heart reduces mixing of bloodfrog
The three-chambered heart of frogs reduces mixing of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood because of the separation of atrial inflow and outflow.
idea
AkerminSaint Louis University's Shelley Minteer, Ph.D.
Bioelectrocatalysis: Batteries that run on sugar.
idea
Aquaporin membrane technologyAquaporin
Aquaporins separate water from fluids