Shark Dissection

Each Dissection Group:

• One member retrieves their shark– Block 3: Hood– Block 4: Cart

• One member retrieves a laptop computer• Be sure to be working on questions while

making cuts

Exterior Anatomy Checklist

• Nares• Spiracles• Mouth• Gill slits• Cloaca• Rostrum• Dorsal spines

• Dorsal fin• Caudal fin• Pelvic fin• Pectoral fin

Part 1: Pre-Lab Questions• 1. How is the shark’s nose different from our own? • 2. Why are the Spiracles important? • 3. The mouth of the shark is part of which organ system(s)? • 4. What is the function of the Gill Slits? • 5. What does the Lateral Line do? • 6. What two organ systems include the cloaca?• 7. Since the Clasper is only present on male dogfish sharks, what

gender is your shark? • 8. How many fins does a dogfish shark have? • 9. What’s another name for the Rostrum? • 10. Where are the Dorsal Spines located?

2A: Internal (Muscles)• Place shark in tray, ventral-side up.• Cut shallowly from opening to jaw line.• Remove skin from shark’s head• Expose muscles around head/jaw

Part 2A Questions

• 1. How did you position your shark to remove the Dorsal Spines?

• 2. How did you position your shark once you remove the Dorsal Spines?

• 3. In step 2 you made an incision from where to where?

• 4. Was the shark’s skin as thick as you expected it to be? Why or why not?

Internal Anatomy• Place shark in tray,

ventral-side up.• Cut through muscular

wall (gently) from cloaca to jaw

• Make cuts across the shark to create flaps

• Open shark up and pin it down to pad

Be gentle so as not to damage internal organs!!

Internal anatomy Checklist 2B

• Esophagus• Stomach• Duodenum• Liver• Pancreas• Spleen• Rectum

Part 2B Questions• Use your textbook and internet resources to describe the

function of the following 7 organs:– Esophagus– Stomach– Duodenum– Liver– Pancreas– Spleen– Rectum

• How does the ratio of digestive surface to shark size compare to the digestive surface to body size ratio in humans?

Part 2C Internal Anatomy

• Gentle cut up to sharks’ jaw and over to create flaps.

• Pin flaps out of the way.• Cut behind gills … gently!!

Part 2C Internal Anatomy Checklist

• Heart• Gill rakers• Ventricle• Atrium• Teeth• pharynx

Post-Dissection

• Post-lab questions #1-23