Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates: Adaptation to Land

Principle	Adaptation of form & function Conserved and derived evolutionary patterns
Objectives	1. Comparative examination of Class Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Aves, Mammalia 2. Compare organ system function to their structure (major organs) as they relate to aerobic respiration. Digestive system Respiratory (lungs) system Cardiovascular (heart) system Reproductive system 3. Measure the relative mass of each major organ to body mass for each Vertebrate class. 4. Analyze the results using whisker-box plots of descriptive statistics.
Research Questions	In comparing the following organ systems of vertebrate animals in the Classes Amphibia, Aves, and Mammalia consider the following: 1. What is the reaction equation for Aerobic Respiration? what organ system is associated with each component? 2. How does each animal digest food? Which animals swallow food whole and which macerate the food with teeth? Where is undigested food removed? 3. How does each animal accomplish gas exchange? Why are they different? For example, why do the lungs of frogs and rats differ so markedly in internal structure? How do the lungs of birds provide the high oxygen needs of flight? 4. The heart aids to distributing glucose and oxygen throughout the body. How do the hearts compare relative to body mass? How many chambers are there in the heart? What is the advantage of the more complex hearts in birds and mammals? 5. Energy from aerobic respiration is essential for successful reproduction. How do male and female reproductive systems compare? Examine the animals of other lab groups to see both male and female representatives. Are there developing eggs in any females? Which species have internal fertilization and which have external fertilization?
Readings	Methods of Respiration How fish breathe Internet Charteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrates Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology Introduction to frogs and salamanders (Class Amphibia, Order Salientia) Introduction to birds (Class Aves) Introduction to mammals (Class Mammalia)
Students need !! CAUTION !!	Each group or pair of students should have a dissection kits& gloves COME PREPARED Each student needs the following supplies, which are available at the UCA Bookstore Graph paper metric ruler gloves 1-2 pair of gloves either latex or other suitable material. More than one pair is suggested. Wear a lab coat or clothing that you won’t mind getting preservative on. Be aware that a few people are allergic to latex. If you begin to feel an itching sensation or observe abnormal reddening of your hands remove the gloves and wash your hands immediately.
Directed Investigation	1. Each group will examine the organ systems of a fish, frog, bird, and rat 2. Students should be able to identify the following digestive systems and their major organs highlighted on the dissection diagram in lab, Digestive- oral cavity to cloaca or anus Respiratory- lungs, trachea, gills Cardiovascular- heart, atria, ventricles Reproductive- genitals, genital tracts 3. Compare the organs of each species by measuring their weights and compare to the body mass or weight. What % of the body mass are the various organs and organ systems. 4. List three differences in structure and function for each of the four major organ systems Comparison of Vertebrate Digestive Systems Comparison of Vertebrate Lungs Comparison of Vertebrate Hearts Comparison of Vertebrate Male Reproduction There will be a lab report for this lab. Instructions will be posted on the Lab Schedule Page.