Super Sea Jellies!
Jolie Lefkowitz
Introduction
Imagine you are a colorful jellyfish, propelling yourself towards your prey. The vast amount of ocean life around you makes for a spectacular dinner menu. You find and catch your prey, sting it, stun it, then eat it. You quickly devour your meal and float away. For sure, the movement, appearance, and life cycle of a jellyfish are very interesting!
Life Cycle
Sea jellies have six stages in their life cycle. First, the male and female release egg and sperm cells into the water. Next, a larva forms. After that, the larva attaches to a hard surface and become a polyp. The polyp then produces asexually and disc-shaped structures break off of the polyp. Finally, the “discs” mature into adults. These unique jellylike organisms produce an average of 100 offspring. The male and female produce an individual sexually, then the individual produces multiple offspring asexually. Budding is the most common form of asexual reproduction, but some cnidarians just split apart. Both ways allow offspring to rapidly increase within a short time.
Body Structure and Appearance
Some spectacular sea jellies have a unique body structure and appearance. They can be anywhere from 12 centimeters to three feet long and weigh 20-400 grams! They are shaped like bells and umbrellas. These creatures of the sea are 90-98% water and the rest of their body is made up of a jellylike substance. Jellyfish have tentacles around their mouths to help them catch prey. They are also difficult for predators to spot. These jelly like organisms can be colors such as brown, pink, white, or blue. They can also be transparent, and some even glow in the dark! Many have internal parts with a pink or orange hue. They can be egg-shaped or ribbon like. Some jellies are more complex, like the Portuguese man-of-war. Some are more delicate than others, though no sea jelly has a skeleton.
Movement
These unique drifters move just like you’d think they would. They float through the sea, using their tentacles to push themselves along. But sometimes, they slowly drift around, without using their tentacles. Jellies open and close the bell (a part of their body, which is where the tentacles come out of). Their top movement speed is about 8 kilometers per hour (5 miles per hour).
Conclusion
I will never forget the time I went to the beach and there were hardly any people by the water because there were so many enormous jellyfish by the shore. Surely, their astonishing life cycle, simple movement, and vibrant colors make the jellyfish an amazing sea creature!
Word Wall
Jellyfish Quizzle
Chefs Corner
Pavlova
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees F.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a sheet pan. Draw a 9-inch circle on the paper, using a 9-inch plate as a guide, then turn the paper over so the circle is on the reverse side. (This way you won't get a pencil mark on the meringue.)
Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat the egg whites on high speed until firm, about 1 minute. With the mixer still on high, slowly add the sugar and beat until it makes firm, shiny peaks, about 2 minutes.
Remove the bowl from the mixer, sift the cornstarch onto the beaten egg whites, add the vinegar and vanilla, and fold in lightly with a rubber spatula. Pile the meringue into the middle of the circle on the parchment paper and smooth it within the circle, making a rough disk. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven, keep the door closed, and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven, about 1 hour. It will be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
Invert the meringue disk onto a plate and spread the top completely with sweetened whipped cream. Combine the strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in a bowl and toss with about 1/2 cup of raspberry sauce, or enough to coat the berries lightly. Spoon the berries carefully into the middle of the Pavlova, leaving a border of cream and meringue. Serve immediately in large scoops with extra raspberry sauce.
Sweetened Whipped Cream:
Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (you can also use a hand mixer). When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until firm. Don't overbeat!
Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients:
4 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch kosher salt
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Sweetened Whipped Cream, recipe follows
1/2 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 pint fresh blueberries
1/2 pint fresh raspberries
Triple Raspberry Sauce, recipe follows
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 half-pint fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup seedless raspberry jam (12-ounce jar)
1 tablespoon framboise liqueur
About Pavlova:
It has a base made of meringue crust, and it looks a little like a pie. It is topped with fresh fruits like kiwi and strawberries. Nobody knows who created the Pavlova, but Anna Pavlova was the best ballerina of her time. It was said, “She does not dance, she soars as though on wings.” that gave people the idea that the Pavlova was light and airy. There is a conflict between Australia and New Zealand about where this dessert was created. Some have said it was made in New Zealand, though it is a popular Australian dish. Both New Zealand and Australia claim it to be their national food.
Sources:
Food Network (recipe)
What’s Cooking America (history)Under the Sea Diorama
#1 is the jellyfish.
#2 is coral.
#3 is a sea turtle
#4 is a fish
#5 is seaweed
#6 is a sea star
#7 is a clam
and #8 is a shark.