The Science of Camouflage

The video explains how animals use camouflage to find food and protect themselves from predators. It describes two main methods of camouflage: biochromes, which are natural pigments that produce color, and physical structures that refract light. Examples include polar bears, which appear white due to translucent hairs, and reptiles with green coloration from layered skin pigments. The video also discusses how camouflage varies across species, such as mammals, reptiles, and insects, and how it is passed down genetically through natural selection, aiding in survival and reproduction.

What are biochromes in the context of animal camouflage?

• Natural pigments that produce colors chemically

• Microscopic structures that scatter light

• Layers of skin that reflect blue color

• Translucent hairs that appear white

How do polar bears appear white despite having black skin?

• Their skin reflects all light wavelengths

• Their fur absorbs all colors of light

• Their translucent hairs bend and scatter light

• They have a layer of blue pigments

Which combination of skin layers makes reptiles appear green?

• A layer of yellow pigments and a layer reflecting blue

• A layer of blue pigments and a layer reflecting red

• A layer of red pigments and a layer reflecting yellow

• A layer of green pigments and a layer reflecting white

In which part of their bodies do mammals typically exhibit camouflage coloration?

• In their feathers

• In their exoskeleton

• In their scales

• In their fur

How does natural selection influence the development of camouflage in animals?

• Camouflage is randomly distributed among animals

• Animals choose their camouflage based on their environment

• Camouflage is only important for predators

• Animals with better camouflage are more likely to survive and reproduce