Map of Living World
Life beyond humans — leaf photosynthesis, sap flow, predator–prey ecosystems, insect metamorphosis and the gears of evolution.
≈ 10³–10⁰ m · ecosystem → organismPhotosynthesis Lá xanh & Quang hợp
Leaf cross-section: light striking chloroplasts, CO₂ in and O₂ out through stomata that open and close with water.
Sap Transport Thân, Rễ & Dòng nhựa
A water column rising through the xylem to the leaves, sugar flowing down the phloem; growth rings tell the tree’s age.
Ecosystem Hệ sinh thái
Prey and predators chase each other; populations oscillate out of phase per Lotka–Volterra, the energy pyramid shifting over time.
Metamorphosis Biến thái côn trùng
The egg→larva→pupa→butterfly life cycle runs on hormones; heat and nutrition set the molting pace.
Natural Selection Tiến hóa & Chọn lọc
A population varies across generations; predators cull the conspicuous, and the trait distribution shifts with the environment.
Comparative Anatomy Giải phẫu so sánh
Compare bird–fish–mammal in one system: gills↔lungs↔air sacs, 2↔3↔4-chambered hearts — homologous organs sharing an origin.
Food Web Lưới thức ăn
Solar energy flows up a 4-tier pyramid — each level keeps only ~10%, 90% lost as heat; lose an apex predator and a trophic cascade follows, toxins building toward the top.
Pollination Thụ phấn & Hoa
Bees carry pollen from stamen to pistil; the pollen tube grows down to the ovule → fertilization → seed. Lose the pollinators and flowers set no fruit.
Tree of Life Cây Sự Sống
Every species traces back to a common ancestor; the trunk branches into three domains — bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes. Scrub time to watch the tree grow.
Coral Reef Rạn san hô
Coral polyps living in symbiosis with photosynthetic algae build a vivid reef; as water warms the algae leave, the coral bleaches then dies.
Nitrogen Cycle Chu trình Nitơ
Root-nodule bacteria break the air’s N≡N into nitrogen plants can use; nitrification and denitrification close the loop. Over-fertilizing causes eutrophication.
Camouflage & Mimicry Ngụy trang & Bắt chước
Prey blending in, harmless species mimicking toxic ones, warning colors — survival weapons forged by natural selection.
Animal Migration Di cư động vật
Birds, monarch butterflies and salmon travel thousands of km with the seasons — navigating by the Sun, stars & Earth’s magnetic field.
Symbiosis Cộng sinh
Two species living together: mutualism (clownfish–anemone), commensalism, parasitism — and mycorrhizae linking plants to the soil.
Fungi & Decomposition Nấm & Phân hủy
A fungal mycelium spreading through rotting wood secretes enzymes to break it down, returning minerals to the soil — the ‘cleanup crew’ closing the matter loop.
Social Insects Côn trùng xã hội & Siêu cá thể
Each ant follows a few simple rules + pheromone trails, yet the colony finds the shortest path & divides labor smoothly like a ‘superorganism’.
Ecological Succession Diễn thế sinh thái
From bare ground or a burn: pioneer lichens & grasses → shrubs → young forest → climax forest. Soil thickens, biodiversity recovers.
Seed Dispersal Phát tán hạt & Nảy mầm
By wind, water or animals: seeds leave the parent and travel, then with enough moisture & light they sprout and race for sunlight.
Sexual Selection Chọn lọc giới tính
A peacock’s tail, a deer’s antlers, a courtship dance: ‘costly’ traits evolve because females are choosy — a trade-off between survival & attracting a mate.
Animal Communication Giao tiếp & Tín hiệu động vật
Song, color, scent or electric pulses: each signaling channel has its strengths — warning, courting, holding territory; with noise & deception too.