The Task
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Your group is composed of world-renowned genetic engineers.  Each of you is an expert in one of the following types of organisms:

• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Mammals
• Birds

You have been commissioned by NASA to create an animal to live on planet Urflak.  This planet is dry and hot. Most of the planet is flat. Water is found in underground streams but there is little water on the surface of the planet. Most of the planet’s surface is covered in sand, although there are patches of dry grass. When plants can get their roots down into the water table, they grow into tall trees with leaves at the top but not along the trunk. Plants which are not connected to the water table are small and dry, but they are edible. Animals on this planet include insects, a species of birds which roost in the high trees, a sand-colored lizard and a type of rat.

You need to research several animals to choose the best parts for your engineered animal.  As a group, you will present a model of your animal to NASA's board of directors.  You will need to identify the parts taken from each animal and defend the choices that you made.  NASA will also need to take your research information for further review.

Authors:  Theresa Butler and Kelly Howell