Dissection Labs
Class (Dissection we did)
Porifera (Sponge)
The sponge we dissected was really small so we had to do it under a microscope. A sponge's habitat is usually grounded. Sponge's do not move so their environment might not always be ideal. Sponges can share their living space with other marine life. This usually includes marine life living within or around the sponge. Many sponges provide habitats for other organisms such as snails, sea stars, and shrimp. Sponges can also form relationships with bacteria, algae, and plant-like protists which provides food and oxygen to the animal. In turn, the sponge provides a protected area where the other organisms can live. In addition, because sponges are often attached to the sea floor, they only receive low levels of sunlight. However these animals have developed spicules that focus and direct incoming light to cells below. This provides sunlight for other symbiotic organisms to carry out photosynthesis and also allows the sponge to survive in a wide range of habitats.
Classes: When looking at the sponges, there are three main classes. The three classes consist of the Calcerea, Hexiactinella, and Demospongiae. Each of these therefore have there own distinctions that separate them. The Calcerea have spicules that are made from a specific material, Calcite, hence the name. The Hexiactinella have spicules like stars with six points, hence “hexa” in the name, meaning six. The Demospongiae have a different kind of skeleton, made of spongin, hence sponge in their name. These scientists really aren’t creative in their names, now are they?
Classes: When looking at the sponges, there are three main classes. The three classes consist of the Calcerea, Hexiactinella, and Demospongiae. Each of these therefore have there own distinctions that separate them. The Calcerea have spicules that are made from a specific material, Calcite, hence the name. The Hexiactinella have spicules like stars with six points, hence “hexa” in the name, meaning six. The Demospongiae have a different kind of skeleton, made of spongin, hence sponge in their name. These scientists really aren’t creative in their names, now are they?
Cnidaria (Jellyfish and Coral)
The overall body plan of a moon jellyfish is quite odd. Jellyfish in general are some of the most unique organisms in the world. These jellyfish have specialized cells as their organs. They also have a very small bone structure. It is placed in between the epidermis and the gastrodermis (the two layers of tissue covering the specialized cells). Those glowing rings are the reproduction organs. These are usually the testes.
In the past corals have been threatened by naturally occurring disasters. These disasters were not devastating enough to wipe out a family of coral. However, today it is a different story. Now the human population has accelerated and increased the risk of extinction for these corals. Examples of this include, recreational divers accidentally damaging reefs, mining and logging washing silt and other kinds of sediments onto the corals. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides are also quite dangerous. They cover the coral in a blanket of chemicals that suffocates them. Even if a coral is attacked by one of these harmful elements, it may survive, but it leaves the coral defenseless to other natural predators.
Classes: In the phylum Cnidaria there are four main classes. These classes are Anthozoa (corals), Hydrozoa (calcified skeletons), Scyphozoa (jellyfish), and Octocorallia (more calcified skeletons, but are weaker in structure). The Anthozoa class is considered the most important because the polyps it produces are ready fossils that can be study later. Hydrozoans are one of the most diverse groups of Cnidarians. The more important species construct their skeletons out of calcite to disguise themselves as corals. The class Scyphozoa starts as a grounded polyp, though evolves into a free swimming, medusa-like organism.
In the past corals have been threatened by naturally occurring disasters. These disasters were not devastating enough to wipe out a family of coral. However, today it is a different story. Now the human population has accelerated and increased the risk of extinction for these corals. Examples of this include, recreational divers accidentally damaging reefs, mining and logging washing silt and other kinds of sediments onto the corals. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides are also quite dangerous. They cover the coral in a blanket of chemicals that suffocates them. Even if a coral is attacked by one of these harmful elements, it may survive, but it leaves the coral defenseless to other natural predators.
Classes: In the phylum Cnidaria there are four main classes. These classes are Anthozoa (corals), Hydrozoa (calcified skeletons), Scyphozoa (jellyfish), and Octocorallia (more calcified skeletons, but are weaker in structure). The Anthozoa class is considered the most important because the polyps it produces are ready fossils that can be study later. Hydrozoans are one of the most diverse groups of Cnidarians. The more important species construct their skeletons out of calcite to disguise themselves as corals. The class Scyphozoa starts as a grounded polyp, though evolves into a free swimming, medusa-like organism.
Cephalopod (Squid)
A squid is also a freaky creature. What our class found when we dissected it is that many of a squids excretion comes out from only one area. It exits out a certain hole located to the side of its eyes. Squid also have a large brain to body ratio. When we dissected the squid we noticed that its entire head was basically used entirely for reproduction. Either it was filled with eggs and egg sacs (female) or had long testes sacs (male).
-Sadly I do not have a lot of information on the Cephalopod due to the lack of time we spent on this class.
-Sadly I do not have a lot of information on the Cephalopod due to the lack of time we spent on this class.
Annelida (Earthworms
Annelids such as the earthworm spend much of their lives burrowing in soil, aerating it, and mixing it to depths of 2 meters. The tunnels they create provide passageways for plants roots and water and allow beneficial soil bacteria to grow. Worms pull plant matter deep into the ground where they digest it and mix it with bacteria that help the matter decompose; annelids also bring minerals from lower layers of the soil up to the surface. Earthworms are also an important part of the diet of birds, moles, skunks, toads, and other animals. Marine annelids and their larvae are also an important food for fish and crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters.
Classes: Polychaeta (marine annelids)- The name polychaeta means “many bristles.” The reason it is called this is due to their paddle like appendages that are tipped with setae or the bristles in this case.
Leeches (Hirudinea)- This class contains leeches which are otherwise known as parasites. Parasites suck the blood and body fluids of their host and need a host to live. Not very nice.
Oligochaetes (earthworm)- This class contains the common earthworm we think of associated with the term annelid. This class typically has tube-like bodies and few setae compared to their neighboring class polychaetes. They typically spend much of their time either in water or, more commonly, in soil.
Classes: Polychaeta (marine annelids)- The name polychaeta means “many bristles.” The reason it is called this is due to their paddle like appendages that are tipped with setae or the bristles in this case.
Leeches (Hirudinea)- This class contains leeches which are otherwise known as parasites. Parasites suck the blood and body fluids of their host and need a host to live. Not very nice.
Oligochaetes (earthworm)- This class contains the common earthworm we think of associated with the term annelid. This class typically has tube-like bodies and few setae compared to their neighboring class polychaetes. They typically spend much of their time either in water or, more commonly, in soil.
Mollusca (Mollusk)
Mollusks are very important to their environment for a variety of reasons. For one, they filter out algae, they also feed on some smaller animals and plants, giving them a large role in the food chain. Some bivalves also have a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the local bacteria. Mollusks are also finding a good use for humans. As they soak up many pollutants, we can learn about water pollution from them. They are also used for cancer research because they seem to be immune to the disease.
Classes: The Phylum Mollusca has three major classes within it. These consist of the gastropods, the bivalves, and the cephalopods. The gastropods are separated because of their large foot used for movement. The bivalves have two shells connected by muscle (clams, mussels, oysters). The class of the cephalopods are distinguished by their quite large heads and one foot. This foot, however, is often separated into multiple tentacles.
Classes: The Phylum Mollusca has three major classes within it. These consist of the gastropods, the bivalves, and the cephalopods. The gastropods are separated because of their large foot used for movement. The bivalves have two shells connected by muscle (clams, mussels, oysters). The class of the cephalopods are distinguished by their quite large heads and one foot. This foot, however, is often separated into multiple tentacles.
Arthropoda (Grasshopper)
Many insects are known for their negative effects on humans or the environment. Some types of arthropods can cost billions of dollars of damage in just a year. Other insects such as mosquitoes or ticks can transmit deadly diseases to both people and other organisms in their environment. Despite these negative points, these small creatures help to pollinate crops, flowers, trees, and other plants that are vital to humans. Agriculture could not survive without them. In addition, insects serve as an important food source for a variety of birds, amphibians, and other animals.
Classes: The Phylum Arthropoda is the most diverse phylum in the world. It ranges through the classes of Crustaceans, Chelicerata, and Uniramia. The Crustaceans include animals like crabs and lobsters. The Cheliceratas include spiders and their cousins the horseshoe crabs, surprising not in the same class as standard crabs. This class also includes the mites and ticks, and the scorpions. The final grouping are the Uniramians, which include the insects, centipedes, and millipedes. This is by far the most diverse class of all.
Classes: The Phylum Arthropoda is the most diverse phylum in the world. It ranges through the classes of Crustaceans, Chelicerata, and Uniramia. The Crustaceans include animals like crabs and lobsters. The Cheliceratas include spiders and their cousins the horseshoe crabs, surprising not in the same class as standard crabs. This class also includes the mites and ticks, and the scorpions. The final grouping are the Uniramians, which include the insects, centipedes, and millipedes. This is by far the most diverse class of all.
Chordata (Frog)
Most amphibians, such as frogs, need to live near water or in a moist place such as a rainforest. Some amphibians can also live in places such as the desert, but they must have special adaptations to survive. Because frogs make an easy meal for a variety predators, many have adapted to display skin markings that ward off potential enemies; in addition, some amphibians can ooze a unpleasant-tasting toxin from a gland. However, recent studies have shown that frog populations are decreasing. These animals are very susceptible to decreasing habitats, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and increasing human populations.
Classes: There are five main classes. These are classes Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. The Osteichthyes class consists of bony fish and even some types of shark. The Amphibia class is made up of salamanders, frogs, and Newts. The Reptilia class is made up of snakes, crocodiles, lizards, etc. The Aves class consists of many types of birds. Lastly, the chordate subclass is made up of us humans, and almost every warm-blooded four-legged walking creature.
Chordata (Bony Fish)
Osteichthyes, such as the bony fish, need to live in water . Some amphibians can also live in places such as the desert, but they must have special adaptations to survive. Because frogs make an easy meal for a variety predators, many have adapted to display skin markings that ward off potential enemies; in addition, some amphibians can ooze a unpleasant-tasting toxin from a gland. However, recent studies have shown that frog populations are decreasing. These animals are very susceptible to decreasing habitats, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and increasing human populations.
Classes: There are five main classes. These are classes Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. The Osteichthyes class consists of bony fish and even some types of shark. The Amphibia class is made up of salamanders, frogs, and Newts. The Reptilia class is made up of snakes, crocodiles, lizards, etc. The Aves class consists of many types of birds. Lastly, the chordate subclass is made up of us humans, and almost every warm-blooded four-legged walking creature.
Classes: There are five main classes. These are classes Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. The Osteichthyes class consists of bony fish and even some types of shark. The Amphibia class is made up of salamanders, frogs, and Newts. The Reptilia class is made up of snakes, crocodiles, lizards, etc. The Aves class consists of many types of birds. Lastly, the chordate subclass is made up of us humans, and almost every warm-blooded four-legged walking creature.