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Symmetry
is everywhere you look in nature. If you look at plants and animals, you
will find that they have symmetrical body shapes and patterns. If you
divide a leaf in half, you will often find that one half has the same
shape as the other half.
Below you will find
several examples of how butterflies and plants are symmetrical in shape.
If you're not sure how this can be, take some time to look at the diagrams
below for a primer on symmetry in nature.
Symmetry in
nature is made up of four sections:
Line
Symmetry | Classroom Ideas | Rotational
Symmetry | Take Your Own Photos
Line
Symmetry
The type of symmetry pictured
below is known as line symmetry or bilateral
symmetry. Take a close look at the beetle and the butterfly.
Each is divided down the middle by a purple line. You should notice
that they look exactly the same on opposite sides of their bodies.
Beetle
Butterfly
Practice
1
Look
at the butterfly below. If we draw a line of symmetry down the middle,
how would the two sides be the same? Think of at least five ways they
would be the same.
Practice
2
Look
at the butterfly below. If we draw a line of symmetry down the middle,
how would the two sides be the same? Think of at least five ways they
would be the same.
Classroom
Idea for Teachers
Click
above for butterfly templates
Leaf
Symmetry
| Original |
Vein
Symmetry |
Outside
Symmetry |
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Although not perfectly symmetrical, when divided in half, you
should notice that there are many similarities between each side
of the leaf above. Can you name them?
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Leaf
Printable
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Click
here to learn about radial symmetry.
Take Your
Own Photos
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