Parts of An Egg
Why is the yolk important?
The growing chick absorbs fat from the yolk.
How does a chick breathe inside an egg?
Pores are tiny holes that lets air pass in and out of an eggshell.
What is the shape of an egg?
oval
Why do eggs come in different colors and patterns?
The colors and patterns help the egg blend in with their surroundings (camouflage).
What is the first little crack in the shell called?
pip
What is an embryo?
The chick starts its life inside the egg as a tiny embryo.
Define absorb.
to take in or soak up
Why is the shape of an egg important to birds that lay their eggs on cliffs?
Objects that are oval roll in a circle instead of a straight line, so the eggs do not roll off the cliffs easily.
What color might and egg be from a ground nesting bird? Why?
Possible answer: dark color to blend in with the dirt
Define hatch.
to break out of an egg
What is the clear liquid inside the egg?
the albumen
Define incubate?
to sit on an egg to keep it warm
What makes an egg strong?
An egg is made up of arches. An arch is one of the strongest forms in nature.
Why are owl eggs white?
Their eggs are white because they are hidden inside a tree and there is no need to blend in.
How does a chick break through its shell? What tool does it use?
The chick taps away at the shell using an egg tooth. The chick creates a crack around the egg.
What does the clear liquid provide for the chick?
protein
Why must an egg be turned as it is being incubated?
Rolling helps the chick from sticking to the membrane.
Why doesn't the weight of a heavy bird who sits on an egg, break the egg?
The weight of a bird is an even force and cannot break the arch shape.
What is DDT?
It is a chemical used to kill insects on crops.
Why would a mother duck listen for sounds inside their eggs when hatching begins?
They listen to hear which way the babies are facing inside the egg. If a baby is facing down, the mother duck will turn the egg so the duckling does not hatch face down.
What is the membrane?
a thin layer of skin inside the egg
What is the Cuckoo's Trick?
This bird lays its eggs in other bird nests.
The other birds thinks it's their eggs and will sit on them AND raise the chicks!
If an egg is so strong, how can a chick break the shell to hatch?
The chick is using uneven force.
Why is DDT no longer used?
The chemical flowed into rivers and streams. When eagles ate the fish from the rivers and streams, DDT got into their bodies and harmed the eggs the eagles laid.
Why is an egg considered a perfect package?
An egg provides a baby bird with food, air and safety.