Animal Phyla Dissections
Sponge Dissection Lab
Sponges, who belong to the phylum Porifera, are very simple creatures. They possess no organs or digestive tract. They have no respiratory system, but instead, they filter feed. It is very hard to see sponges seeming alive, because typically they stick to rocks, coral reefs, sea beds, etc. They don't move much, either. Some sponges are big, and can be protection for other animals. For example, the barrel sponge has a large hole in the middle. Many animals will use this cavity for shelter. Most sponges are also covered in algae. The sponges provide shelter for the algae, and the algae provides the sponge with food.
Jellyfish Dissection Lab
Jellyfish, which belong to the phylum Cnidaria have multiple differences when compared to Sponges, who belong to the phylum Porifera. For example, jellyfish have tiny little tentacles to help them move along in the water. Jellyfish also have organs, while sponges do not. The organs of the jellyfish are quite simple, but organs none the less. They have a digestive system and a set of gonads,which are reproductive organs. Another difference between the two species would be the stages of growth in their lives. Jellyfish go through two stages, while sponges only go through one stage.
Squid Dissection Lab
Squids are very advanced creatures when in comparison with simpler creatures, such as sponges or jellyfish. Some of the aspects that make squids so complex are their cells, structures, and actions. An example of a squid's cells being so specialized would be the cells they possess in their skin called cromatophores, which are cells that allow them change color like a chameleon. Squids also have a very complicated body plan. The squid's body actually possesses something know as cephaliziation, which means that their head region is seperate from the rest of their body. Also relating to the bodily structure of squids, they have a full system of organs. They have a mouth, a digestive system, some eyes, a heart, and an inc sac, along with many more smaller organs intended for less major bodily functions. Sponges and Jellyfish only have partially formed systems. Squids have so far been the most advanced critter that we have dissected thus far.
Earthworm Dissection Lab
Earthworms have segmented skin. They have three germ layers. Unlike the porifera, earthworms have a digestive tract. Their digestive tract has two openings, the mouth and the anus. The mouth is where nutrients and food enters, and after being digested, exits through the anus. The earthworm's inner tube is called the digestive tract, and the outer wall of the body is just called the body wall.
Grasshopper Dissection Lab
Compared to other phylas (like Porifera, Cnideria, Annelida, and Molluska), the grasshopper is much more complex. Grasshoppers have much more advanced appendages for tactile sense (antennae). They also have very advanced movement appendages (walking legs, jumping legs, and wings). Grasshoppers have a more advanced respiratory systems than the rest of the phylas. Oxygen is taken in through it's thorax, then the oxygen is distributed throughout the body. Grasshoppers also have a very advanced visual system. They have two different types of eyes on their body. They have a pair of two complex eyes on the front of their head. In between the two complex eyes is a simple eye.
Perch Dissection Lab
The perch was a very fun dissection. Throughout the dissection, it was easy to observe that the perch was much more complex than almost all the other creatures we dissected. The perch had specialized organs, which almost looked similar to our own organs. The perch had a complete digestive system full of organs, such as a mouth (with teeth and a tongue), an esophagus, a stomach, a liver, a pancreas, an intestine, and the anus. The perch also had other organs used for various different functions, such as the gall bladder (which it uses to raise and lower itself in the water), a heart, and some gonads, along with other smaller organs. It also had a full skeletal system. This skeletal system helps to keep the fish from collapsing in on itself under the immense pressure of the water that it swims around in. Last but certainly not least, the perch has a super efficient system of movement. They have 7 different fins, which, in conjunction with the gall bladder mentioned earlier, allows it to skillfully maneuver in the water.
Frog Dissection Lab
Frogs are a cornerstone species. Frogs are a kind of small animal belonging to a group called vertebrates (animals with backbones) known as amphibians. This mean that they live part of their life in water and the other part of it on land. The word amphibian comes from 2 Greek words, "amphi" which means "both" and "bios" which means "life". Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. This mean that their body temperature is the same as the surrounding temperature. Their skin absorbs water into their body so they do not have to drink water to survive. Examples of other amphibians are salamanders and caecilians. Frogs have strong hind legs to enable them leap forward at a great distance.
The front legs or arms are short. They are used to prop the frog up when it sits.
The front legs or arms are short. They are used to prop the frog up when it sits.