Shell

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/shell

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is a shell and why do animals have them?Shells are hard outer layers made mainly of calcium carbonate that protect animals from predators and help them stay hydrated. They also give support and can help animals sense their surroundings.
2. How do shells help scientists learn about the past?Scientists look at the chemicals and growth rings in shells to find clues about old water temperatures, pollution, and climate changes. The patterns in shells act like a diary of the environment.

Biomineralization: The biological process by which living organisms produce minerals, often for structural support or protection.
Isotopic Ratios: The relative amounts of different isotopes of an element, used to infer environmental conditions.
Ocean Acidification: The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.