– The Bombardier Beetle –
“The bombardier beetle, a member of the Carabidae family, possesses a remarkable defence mechanism that sets it apart in the insect kingdom. Found across five continents, this insect, when threatened, is capable of producing a near-boiling, noxious chemical spray.
Inside the bombardier beetle’s abdomen are two separate compartments storing distinct sets of chemicals. One contains hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide, while the other holds various enzymes. When the beetle feels endangered, it will mix the contents of the two compartments in a third ‘reaction chamber’.
The result is a highly exothermic reaction, creating a hot, toxic spray, which is ejected with a loud pop from the tip of the beetle’s abdomen. The spray not only serves to deter potential predators but also offers a minor propulsion effect, helping the beetle escape a precarious situation. The bombardier beetle’s sophisticated chemical arsenal, and its ability to deploy it precisely, is a testament to nature’s extraordinary ingenuity.”
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
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| Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.
The bombardier beetle, a remarkable insect within the Carabidae _____________ , is equipped with a unique defence system that involves the production of a hot, noxious chemical spray when under _____________ . In its abdomen, two distinct compartments exist, each storing a unique set of _____________ . Upon perceiving a threat, these chemicals are combined within a third ‘reaction _____________ ‘, resulting in an intense exothermic reaction that leads to the creation of a toxic _____________ . This spray not only serves to ward off potential predators but also provides a modest _____________ boost, assisting in the beetle’s escape. |
Vocabulary Builder
- Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
| Original word | Variants used |
|---|---|
| Remarkable | ________________ |
| Defence mechanism | ________________ |
| Capable | ________________ |
| Producing | ________________ |
| Compartments | ________________ |
| Endangered | ________________ |
| Exothermic | ________________ |
| Spray | ________________ |
| Predators | ________________ |
