Mon Prof Augmenté
Antennae Touching
Open to everyone until Monday, September 28
To keep it, print it while it is open.
Ants tap each other’s heads with their antennae. The antennae pick up chemical signals that tell one ant whether another belongs to its colony and what role it has.
In the picture
- Tip of one ant’s antenna: samples chemical traces on the other ant’s head.
- Tip of the other ant’s antenna: samples chemical traces in return.
- Base of the first antenna: joins the head and passes sensory input inward.
- Base of the other antenna: joins the head and passes sensory input inward.
Examples
- A worker ant returning to the nest touches antennae with a guard at the entrance.
- Two ants from different colonies may react differently after their antennae make contact.
Key takeaways
- Antennae are the main chemical sense organs on an ant’s head.
- Brief antenna-to-antenna contact can carry information about colony identity and role.
Carry on in the app
Three questions on this lesson, to check the idea stuck. Free in the app while the lesson is in the free week.
At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.
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