Extra Credit Projects Activities - Structure of Feline Eyes

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Extra Credit Projects & Activities

Using the DVD as a teacher's tool along with the accompanying transcription, teachers may see an opportunity to evaluate students' observation and listening skills. Topics that are mentioned but may require additional outside research and make for interesting projects are listed here. Some of the answers are found within the curriculum and some questions may require outside sources to be properly addressed. Suggested on-line resource(s) are given, although students may choose to complete assignments using standard encyclopedia and alternate media research methods.

Structure of Feline Eyes
All tigers have yellow eyes with the exception of the White Tiger which has blue eyes. Feline eyesight is equivalent to humans during the daytime. They are equipped however with a special structure in their eye making night vision far superior to that of humans. This special structure is called "tapetum lucidum" (meaning "bright carpet") which reflects light making objects appear brighter and is an optical adaptation especially for night predators. The retina of nocturnal animals is almost entirely composed of rods. The other type of vision cells, cones, is absent or almost absent, leaving nocturnal animals with virtually no color vision.

The Nocturnal Eye
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kalahari/nocturnaleye.html

Nocturnal eyes: How do animals see in the dark?
http://www.ebiomedia.com/gall/eyes/nocturnal.html

eBioMedia - Eye, Eye, Eye, Eye
http://www.ebiomedia.com/gall/eyes/eye1.html#EyeQ

About Children's Health.com (Experiment)
http://www.aboutchildrenshealth.com/library/weekly/aa013100a.htm

False Eyes: Natural provides animals with camouflage giving them "False Eyes". This depiction of "eyes" equips the animals with a natural disguise to confuse predators and reduce vulnerability. Nature has given many animals this protective feature including many species of butterflies, fish, lizards and mammals. Have students research and locate animals with naturally occurring "False Eyes". Students may choose to draw representative species freehand or print pictures and accompany with a brief essay.

eBioMedia - Eye, Eye, Eye, Eye
http://www.ebiomedia.com/gall/eyes/pretend.html
Essays & Photos by Dennis Denning and Molly Kirk

Metric Weights & Measures
It is very important for students to be proficient in converting standard U.S. weights and measures and to familiarize themselves with metric conversions. An interesting assignment suggestion is to have students convert the cats' standard weights and measures into US/metric calculations. Teachers may select from the animal's profiles, print pages and using only one of the equation factors, copy for distribution along with a metric conversion chart to let the students practice these conversion equations on animal weights and lengths.

Metric Conversion Chart
http://www.fas.org/news/reference/conversion.htm

NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technologies
http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/doc5.htm

Tigers: Extinct Species
Teachers will notice the "PowerCats" DVD flashes an inset fact stating that 3 species of Tigers are now classified as extinct. This provides an excellent opportunity for further research. The three extinct subspecies of Tigers are the Bali, Caspian and Javan tiger. Complete information on each subspecies is detailed within this curriculum providing teachers the ability to evaluate their students reasoning and comprehensive abilities. Students may be asked to write a summary about animal "Extinction" and its consequences for mankind. Students may want to familiarize themselves with these animals as well as the various organizations that strive to protect the remaining species.

Tigerhomes.org - Extinct Lion and Tiger Species Index
http://www.tigerhomes.org/animal/curriculums/extinct-lion-tiger-pc.cfm

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