All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which external animal part could inspire a hard hat that is light but very strong?
Answer: A beetle exoskeleton. Beetle shells are lightweight but protect from heavy impacts.
Flashcard 2: Which external animal part could inspire a better dust brush that traps tiny particles well?
Answer: A bird feather. Feather barbs trap dust and dirt between their branches.
Flashcard 3: Which external animal part could inspire swim fins to help a person move faster in water?
Answer: Duck feet (webbed feet). Webbed feet push more water, helping ducks swim faster.
Flashcard 4: Which external animal part could inspire a tool for picking up small objects without using fingers?
Answer: A bird beak. Birds use beaks like tweezers to pick up small items.
Flashcard 5: Which external plant part could inspire a better hook-and-loop fastener for clothing and shoes?
Answer: Burdock burr hooks. Burdock burrs stick to fur with tiny hooks, inspiring Velcro.
Flashcard 6: Which external animal part could inspire a jacket that keeps a person warm in cold weather?
Answer: Polar bear fur. Polar bear fur traps air to keep the bear warm in Arctic cold.
Flashcard 7: Which external animal part could inspire a backpack strap that is soft, flexible, and strong?
Answer: Elephant skin. Elephant skin is thick and tough but stays flexible when moving.
Flashcard 8: Which external animal part could inspire a raincoat that keeps a person dry in heavy rain?
Answer: Duck feathers. Duck feathers have oils that repel water, keeping ducks dry.
Flashcard 9: Which external animal part could inspire a helmet design to protect a head from hard hits?
Answer: A turtle shell. Hard shells protect turtles from impacts, just like helmets protect heads.
Flashcard 10: Which external plant part could inspire an umbrella that sheds water quickly?
Answer: A lotus leaf. Lotus leaves have bumps that make water roll off quickly.
Flashcard 11: Identify the best copied part for this problem: shoes need better grip on slippery floors.
Answer: Gecko-like gripping pads. Gecko feet stick to smooth surfaces using microscopic hairs.
Flashcard 12: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a small toy boat needs to float steadily.
Answer: A wide leaf shape like a lily pad. Lily pads distribute weight across water to stay afloat.
Flashcard 13: Which external plant part is copied to help an object float on water?
Answer: Lily pad leaves (wide, floating surface). Wide, flat leaves spread weight to float on water surface.
Flashcard 14: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a raincoat must shed water easily.
Answer: Water-repellent feathers like a duck. Duck feathers naturally repel water to keep birds dry.
Flashcard 15: Which external animal part is copied to keep water off a surface so it stays dry?
Answer: Duck feathers (water-repellent surface). Special oils on feathers make water bead up and roll off.
Flashcard 16: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a tool must pinch and hold tightly.
Answer: Claw-like grippers (like crab claws). Crab claws demonstrate powerful pinching mechanisms.
Flashcard 17: Which external animal part is copied to help people swim or move in water more easily?
Answer: Duck feet (webbing). Webbed feet push more water, helping ducks swim efficiently.
Flashcard 18: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a swimmer needs more push in water.
Answer: Webbed feet (like a duck). Webbing between toes creates a larger surface to push water.
Flashcard 19: Which external animal part is copied to pick up food or objects with a strong pinch?
Answer: Crab claws. Claws pinch prey and objects with strong gripping force.
Flashcard 20: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a bike helmet must resist impact.
Answer: A hard shell like a turtle shell. Turtle shells are nature's helmets, protecting from impacts.
Flashcard 21: Which external bird part is copied to help humans fly or glide through the air?
Answer: Bird wings. Wing shape creates lift, allowing birds to fly through air.
Flashcard 22: Identify the human problem: clothes or bags need an easy way to close and open quickly.
Answer: Create a hook-and-loop fastener like burr hooks. Burr hooks naturally stick to fur, inspiring Velcro fasteners.
Flashcard 23: Which external animal part is copied to make fasteners like Velcro stick to fabric?
Answer: Burdock burr hooks. Tiny hooks on burrs inspired the hook-and-loop design.
Flashcard 24: Identify the best copied part for this problem: a toy needs to spin and fall slowly.
Answer: Maple seed wing (helicopter shape). Maple seeds spin as they fall, slowing their descent.
Flashcard 25: Which external animal part is copied to grip and climb on smooth surfaces?
Answer: Gecko feet. Tiny hairs on gecko feet create strong adhesion to surfaces.
Flashcard 26: Which option best describes an external plant or animal part: fur, stomach, or blood?
Answer: Fur. External parts are on the outside of the body, not inside.
Flashcard 27: Identify the human problem: You need to keep warm in winter; which animal part could inspire a solution?
Answer: Fur (warm clothing). Animals use fur as insulation to trap warm air.
Flashcard 28: Identify the human problem: You need to stay dry in rain; which animal feature could inspire a solution?
Answer: Duck feathers (waterproof coat). Duck feathers have oils that make water roll off.
Flashcard 29: Identify the human problem: Shoes slip on wet floors; which animal part could inspire better grip?
Answer: Gecko feet (better traction soles). Geckos have tiny hairs on feet that stick to surfaces.
Flashcard 30: Identify the human problem: You need to stick papers together without glue; which plant part could inspire a solution?
Answer: Burrs (hook-like fasteners such as Velcro). Burrs stick to fur using tiny hooks, inspiring Velcro.