Countershading and Bioluminscense

Question 1

What is meant by the term countershading?

Answer 1

A common pattern of coloration in which the back is black or dark blue and the underside is which or silver.

Question 2

What is an example of an animal that exhibits countershading and outline the significance of it:

Answer 2

Penguins exhibit countershading, the upper part of their bodies is black their bellies are white, it means the belly reflects light from below so it is difficult for a predator looking up to see them, whereas from above the dark back blends in with the water and they are much more difficult to see.

Question 3

What is meant by the term photophore?

Answer 3

or light organs are specialised structures that produce light.

Question 4

What is a specific example of an animal that uses photophores to disguise itself, provide examples:

Answer 4

• Krill
• Their bioluminescent photophores found mostly on their underside, produces light that breaks up the animal’s silhouette and helps the animal blend in with the background light filtering down from the surface.