Sponge Dissection: The sponge is a simple creature that either has radial symmetry or is asymmetrical. They have no cephalization, but they do have suspension feeders. For reproduction, some are asexual and others release sperms and eggs in to the water to find each other and fertilize. Their skeletons are made up of spicules. They make good habitats for marine life because they improve nutrient cycles and reduce the amount of nitrogen in coral reef systems. They form mutual relationships with some organisms. For example, if they live on a scallop, the scallop provides it good living conditions and the sponge provides some form of protection for the scallop.
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Jellyfish Dissection: The jellyfish has two different body forms: the medusa and the polyp form. They are asexual and reproduce by budding. They have specialized cells that form tissues, but they lack organs. They have cilia lining the gastrovascular cavity to move the food down to the vacuoles, where it is the digested. Their symmetry is radial from the mouth. They diffuse the oxygen from the water to breathe.
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Earthworm Dissection: The earthworm is a very complex creature. They have bilateral symmetry, cephalization, and extracellular digestion. They have a one way digestive system that consists of a mouth, crop, gizzard, intestines, and other organs. Earth worms have a closed circulatory system and they respire through their thin skin. They are hermaphrodites because they have both male and female sex organs.
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Perch Lab: The perch is a type of fish. It has the generic body shape of a fish; the head, tail, fins, and other body structures. The gills filter oxygen out of the water for the fish to breathe. The scales provide protection for the perch as well as reflect light to blend them in to their surroundings. The scales also provide a streamline dynamic body structure since they are angled towards the back. This fish has two nostrils that are only used to detect scents, but not to breathe. The gills are close to the mouth, making it an efficient respiratory organ. The lateral line is a thin line on the back of the fish. The gall bladder allows for it to be able to float to the surface or sink down deeper.
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Grasshopper Lab: The grasshopper is very developed compared to some of the other organisms that we have dissected. They have developed a form of communication, and exoskeleton, and wings. An exoskeleton is when the hard bone'like structure is on the outside as protection, and there are no bones internally. They also have sensory organs such as the antenna and its compound eyes.
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Squid Lab: The squid is probably the most developed thing we have dissected now. It has specialized organs and tissues. The have developed the Ganglion, which is a primitive brain. Also, color changing chromatophores in their skin allow them to camouflage. The squid also has bilateral symmetry, allowing for a more sophisticated body plan.
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