A Walk With Biology: 2012

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Time to Open Up Squidward

Squid Dissection

In this class, we performed another dissection. Instead of dissecting a small earthworm, we got to dissect a squid! This time around, it was much easier to perform a dissection on this mollusk because it was much bigger. The purpose of this dissection was to again incorporate that visual aspect to our learning in Biology 11. A goal was to open this squid up and answer the questions on the lab to further extend our knowledge of a Cephalopod, also known as "head" "foot". With this dissection, we got to discover the flow of the water through the funnel and how it moves by jet propulsion. Also, using a microscope, we got to see the little pods of colour on the squid's skin that enables it to camouflage to it's surroundings. These were some of the many findings we discovered during this dissection. These help us understand not only how squid work, but also how we can save them. I enjoy dissecting animals because I love hands on work. It helps me learn about the animal we are discussing in class.

Questions:

External Anatomy Questions

How many arms does your squid have? How many tentacles?

Squids have eight flexible tentacles and two long slender arms with suckers on the end.

Based on the structure of the arms and the tentacles, describe how their purposes differ. What do the arms do and what do the tentacles do?

The purposes for the arms is to grab prey. The function for the tentacles are for pulling the prey to the beak for consumption. The two differ because the arms acts as more of a tool to attack and tentacles are used for help in feeding.

Draw arrows on the squid below to indicate the direction that water comes out of the funnel and the direction that the squid moves.

The water flows as shown on this picture. Also, the movement of the squid due to jet propulsion is shown.

<-----------------

Name two external features that are adaptations for the squid's predatory life. How do these adaptations help the squid?

1. The suckers on the tentacles and the tentacles

and arms themselves are used to grab prey and making

it almost impossible to escape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2aa6aHEyUI

2. The beak also serves as a serves as a tool for the squid's predatory life. The sharp talon looking beak is great for ripping apart the food for digestion.

Do you remember the general traits of mollusks we discussed in a lecture? Name two traits that the squid shares with other mollusks.

1. They both have a mantle.

2. They also both have a visceral mass.

As well, they all share bilateral symmetry and a soft body cavity. (coelom)

Internal Anatomy Questions

How many pairs pf gills does the squid have?

The squid has two gills therefore the squid has one pair located near the stomach.

Magnified

Where does the ink sac empty into and what is it's function?

The ink sac empties into the water jet and it is used for defense by distracting the predators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0iqRah3N0I

What is the function of the pen? What would happen if the squid didn't have a pen?

It provides stability for the squid so it could swim. Without it, the squid wouldn't have any structure and have many difficulties swimming.

How do you think wastes exit the squid?

Waste exits the squid through the anus then the water jet where the waste is finally expelled into the water.

Monday 3 December 2012

Worm Dissection

Have You Ever Dissected an Earthworm?

You see them in the dirt, or composes. They are the stars in the movie, "How to Eat Fried Worms?" Some are found under the sea , others have been seen on "Fear Factor" or in murky ponds. If you guessed Annelids, you are correct. In this phyla there are three major classes called: Class Oligoshaeta, better known as earthworms, Class Hirudinea, the leeches, and Class Polycheata, the Marine worms.in the dissection, we chose to dissect an earthworm. We got to use tools such as a scalpel tongs and pins to open up the earthworm to expose the innards. The purpose of this dissection was to help us further learn the parts of an annelid. Using this hands on technique, I find it easier to understand and further learn the different parts of an annelid. This dissection help us understand the biological world because with the visual aspect, we saw what a real earthworm looks like, what it's food looks like, and an up close look at the parts in the annelid. We also got to exercise our dissection skills which will be useful for further dissections. All in all, I had a great time with dissection and look forward to others in the future.

Discussion Questions:

The pumping organs of the circulatory system are called the five aortic arches. The circulatory fluid, also known as hemoglobin,travels through the arches of the ventral blood vessel to the capillary beds in the body. Then, the hemoglobin runs back through the dorsal blood vessels and back to the arches.

Magnified

It was quite tough to uncover the digestive tract of the worm; however, food travels through the mouth, into the pharynx, to the esophagus where it travels into this sac like structure called the crop, then a bigger sac like structure called the gizzard. Then, the food travels down the intestinal tube and out the anus.

Magnifed

Little more of a clear picture of an Earthworm digestive track

The nervous system are made up of a ventral nerve cord. It travels the length of the worm on the ventral side. Ganglia also are included in the nervous system. They are masses of tissues containing many nerve cells. Also, there is a nerve collar that surrounds the pharynx along with ganglia. This ganglia is found both above and below the pharynx. Even though the earthworm's nervous system isn't as advance, the earthworm still responds to stimuli and are responsible for movement.

Magnified

Some parts found in the dissection that are apart of the excretory system include the nephridia. They are found in pairs in each body segment. The anus is the last step of the excretory system where the waste it excreted.

Magnified

We can find out if a earthworm eats soil by dissecting it. In the dissection, we found dirt in the digestive tracks...

Magnified Soil in digestive track

YUM YUM SOIL

Each segment or section contain muscles and bristles called setae. Setae help anchor and control the worm when moving around it's environment The setae hold a section of the worm firmly into the ground while the other part of the body moves forward.

Once the soil passes through the esophagus, calciferous glands release calcium carbonate to get rid of the excess calcium in the earthworm's body. The food moves into the crop where it is stored and then eventually moves into the gizzard. The gizzard uses stones that the earthworm eats to grind the food completely. That's how big parts of soil become little digestible particles.

Better shot of a Gizzard

We continued to dissect the rest of the worm and when we did, we found the rest of the digestive tract, soil and the anus.

In the reproductive system, the ovaries, clitellum, testes and sperm all make up this system. In our dissection, we figured out how earthworms mated. We also found the ovaries and where this "egg cocoon" constructs itself during and after mating. During mating, two worms line up from each other so sperm can be exchanged. The earthworms each have two male openings. These take in the sperm from another mate. The earthworms have a pair of ovaries that produce eggs. The clitellum will form a slime tube around itself and fill with an albuminous fluid. As the earthworm passes through the slime tube, it will pass over the female opening and pick up the eggs. The tube will continue to move down the earthworm and go over the male opening which has sperm. The eggs will fertilize and the slime tube will close off as the worm moves completely out of the tube. Then, baby worms are formed in time.

Craving for more knowledge?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9HHS1uPFSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a0F82VJTsE

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Flatworms

Genus	Pseudoceros
Species	dimidiatus
Authority	von Graff, 1893
Family	Pseudocerotidae
Order	Polycladida
Location	Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMBqAsZOOQY

Genus	Pseudoceros
Species	jebborum
Authority	Newman & Cannon, 1994
Family	Pseudocerotidae
Order	Polycladida
Location	Honokohau, Hawai'i

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzflso6pGtI

Genus	Pseudobiceros
Species	gratus
Authority	Kato, 1937
Family	Pseudocerotidae
Order	Polycladida
Location	Palea Point, O'ahu, Hawaii

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqweGMrA8j4

Bibliography

http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~bu6/haw_gall01.html

http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~bu6/index.html

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE PICTURES. CREDITS ALL TO THE ABOVE LINKS.

Aquarium

AQUARIUM!

I do not know about you but I LOVE the aquarium

On a chilly fall day, my class ventured off on a field trip. We don't get many field trips in highschool so I know when we do have them, I must treasure it. An hour bus drive, a few songs to sing along to with friends, and outbursts of boys arguing over who won their "Mario Kart" battle later, we arrive at the Vancouver Aquarium.

In Biology class, we have moved on from fungi to different types of marine animals such as cnidarians. We learnt about the four phyla and what some look like. I believe the purpose of the trip was to incorporate that visual aspect. Not only did we get to see real living and breathing cnidarians, we got to further expand our knowledge about them. We also learnt how to protect these animals and got to see with our own eyes how they move. With the "Wet Lab" my class got to touch some starfish, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. My favourite was the starfish because one of them stuck to my hand which felt really neat!

On scene, we were given a scavenger hunt to fulfill by the end of the day. It had various questions that obligated us to explore the entire aquarium. The array of different animals, including monkeys, was breathtaking. I watched the Beluga show and not only did I learn about Belugas, I got to see tricks and get tips on saving the environment. Did you know Belugas live in the Arctic and the St. Lawrence River?

What we learn in Biology class is to not only test our knowledge and skill or memorizing a potpourri of terms, but also to open our eyes to the world through learning about basic organisms such as lichen, to more complex organisms like the tiger. We also learn to create awareness, a basis to teach future generations on how to sustain out earth. I believe that the aquarium hits that goal because I was moved by the knowledge I read about sustainability and how I can take part in saving our planet.

Scavenger Hunt

Can you answer them all?

Clown Fish and Anemone

Describe the symbiotic relationship between Clown Fish and Anemone:

Clown fish have have very similar cells as an anemone; therefore, they can not be stung. The Clown Fish in exchange use the anemone as a habitat. In return, the clown fish cleans the anemone and lures in potential prey.

Sea Otter

Why do Sea Otters spend so much time cleaning their coats?

In order to stay warm in the chilly water, sea otters constantly clean their pelt therefore trapping air acting as blubber. Only a clean fur can have this outer "skin" of air.

Before the 1900s, where could you find Sea Otters? When were they reintroduced?

Many were found in either Alaska or Amchtka Island. Because of their gorgeous pelts, they were hunted and neared extinction The sea otters were then protected and mated until their reintroduction in 1969- 1970.

I named him Beans

What colour were the sea anemones next to the Sea Otters' tank?

The sea anemones are this beautiful bright green colour.

Beautiful !

I shall call him squishy. He will be my squishy.

What is your favourite invertebrate and describe what adaptations it has for survival.

My favourite invertebrate would have to be the jellyfish. I enjoy the various looks and colours they have. The one to the right reflects light and creates a rainbow surface on their epidermis. The one below is the Japanese Sea Nettle. It is known to "sneeze" from expelling a harpoon like spear into the attacker's body.

Gorgeous

JELLYFISH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iubJ-XSL9go

What is the scientific name for a Belgua? How many are there in the aquarium?

The scientific name is Delphinaplerus Leucus and currently, two inhabit the tank.

Baby, beluga; oh baby beluga!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK1sF6kv0l8

Find the potbelly seahorses. Describe how the move.

Unfortunately the potbelly seahorse tank was taken out but instead we found a different species of seahorses; however, the movement seems to be the same. They extend their tail then curl it back it. This propels their selves forward.

Seahorse

Find and write down the name of an organism that looks like the human nervous system organ.

The Pacfic Stinging Nettle because of all its nematocysts that look very similar to the nerves that make up the human nervous system.

Find a Starry Flounder. What two interesting adaptations does it have?

This guy was a bugger to take a picture of, he kept moving!

This type of fish are flat thus making it easier to camouflage itself in the sand along with it's colouring. He can hide from predators and lurk for prey.

Find the Moon Jellies. Describe their movement. What adaptations do the have for feeding on plankton.

They are see through because they are mostly made up of water.

You can say that moon jellies waft through the water by tensing and relaxing their "head". This allows plankton to be sucked into the moon jelly and digested for nourishment.

Find the Pacific Octopus. What purpose do the white suction cups on it's arms have? Why is it known as one of nature's best predators?

Octopus

The suction cups are used for moment and to grab a hold of prey. Its considered one of nature's best predators because of its ability to hide in small places and camouflage itself.

What are the different types of feeding types in the Stellar Sea Loins?

Meet Phil the Sea Lion

Stellar Sea Lions eat squid and fish. In order to obtain a meal, they hunt but chasing the prey in large groups.

Take a walk to the Amazon Rain Forest. Find the Caiman. Where did it come from?

Caiman, beauty!

The Caiman is found in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Describe the colour of the of the crocodile. Why do you think that this is good survival strategy?

The colour appears to be green, grey and a brownish colour. This would be excellent for camouflaging itself for not only protection, but also for stalking prey.