Category: Animals

Frog Dissection Worksheet

 

Frog Dissection Worksheet
    1. What do you think is the function of the nictitating membrane, and why?
    2. A frog does not chew its food. What do the positions of its teeth suggest about how the frog uses them?
    3. Trace the path of food through the digestive tract.
    4. Trace the path of blood through the circulatory system, starting at the right atrium.
    5. Trace the path of air through the respiratory system.
    6. Trace the paths of sperm in a male and eggs in a female.
    7. Trace the path of urine in both sexes.
    8. Which parts of the frog’s nervous system can be observed in its abdominal cavity and hind leg?
    9. Suppose in a living frog the spinal nerve extending to the leg muscle were cut. What ability would the frog lose? Why?
    10. The abdominal cavity of a frog at the end of hibernation season would contain very small fat bodies or none at all. What is the function of the fat bodies?

 

  1.  Structures of an animal’s body that fit it for its environment are adaptations. How do the frog’s powerful hind legs help it to fit into a life both in water and on land?
  2. During one mating of frogs, the female lays some 2,000 to 3,000 eggs in water as the male sheds millions of sperm over them. How do these large numbers relate to the frog’s fitness for life in water?
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Elephants Can’t Jump

 

It is a known fact that, unlike other animals, elephants can not jump! The bones in an elephant’s feet are too tightly packed and they’re too heavy.

On this page, you will find interesting questions  about other living things. Use the Google search engine on this page to help find the answers & then e-mail me your correct answer for test coupons.

The scientific name for the giraffe is Giraffa camelopardalis. What does this Latin name mean?

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Cow Eye Dissection Worksheet

 

Cow Eye Dissection
Worksheet

 

1. Tell three observations you made when you examined the surface of the eye:

  1. ______________________________
  2. ______________________________
  3. ______________________________

2. Identify the following structures:

  1. cornea
  2. tear gland-
  3. optic nerve
  4. iris-
  5. pupil-
  6. retina

3. Name the three layers you sliced through when you cut across the top of the eye:

  1. ______________________________
  2. ______________________________
  3. ______________________________

4. Match the following parts of the eye to their function: (ciliary body, sclera, iris, retina, lens, & tapetum lucidum)

____________________ Contains the photoreceptors for vision.
____________________ The colored portion of the eye.
____________________ This structure changes shape to focus light on the retina.
____________________ The opening in the iris through which light passes.
____________________ The iridescent portion of the choroid layer in nocturnal animals.
____________________Consists of muscles, which control and shape the lens.
____________________ The white of the eye.

4. Use the pictures below to name the parts of the eye:

  1. ________________________________________
  2. ________________________________________
  3. ________________________________________
  4. ________________________________________
  5. ________________________________________
  6. ________________________________________
  7. ________________________________________
  8. ________________________________________
  9. ________________________________________
  10. ________________________________________
  11. ________________________________________
  12. ________________________________________
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Chimpanzee Webquest

Life of the Chimpanzee

Introduction  |  Task  |  Process  |  Evaluation  |  Conclusion 

Introduction

Chimpanzees are primates that live in forest regions of Africa.  They are genetically very similar to humans, sharing 98% of the same genes.  Because of their similarities, Chimpanzees can reveal much about ourselves and how we learn.  Chimpanzees have evolved over time to the most sophisticated primates other than humans.  They have a very complex social structure, and even know how to use “tools” to make a task easier.  In this web quest, you will learn all about chimpanzees, their common connection with humans, and how they have evolved to survive.

Task

Your task is to use the internet to research chimpanzees.  After researching, you will use a poster board to make a Venn diagram that outline the similarities and differences of humans and chimpanzees.  After making your diagram, you will present it to the class, explaining the similarities. In addition, you will explain what specific characteristics chimps and humans share that allow them to survive. This will be a group project.  An illustration of the Venn diagram is shown below.  Group A will be human characteristics,  group B will be chimpanzee characteristics, and group C will be the shared traits of humans and chimps.  Before beginning the process, skip down and read the Evaluation Rubric so you will know what your grade is based on.

Process

  1.  First, you will watch and take notes on the video, Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees.  The movie will give you some background knowledge on what scientists know about chimps and their behavior.
  2.  After watching the movie, you will choose a partner to help do research on chimpanzees.  This research will be used to construct your Venn diagram and to make a presentation ( PowerPoint – 15 slides ) which you and your partner will give to the class.
  3.  Use the following links to initially research chimpanzees.  If you wish to do your own customized search, use the Google Search Engine and keywords.  Hint: to get the most out of research, divide up the responsibilities and have each person research a different aspect of chimpanzees.

Encyclopedia Entry:  Chimpanzee

   Jane Goodall Institute

   Enchanted Learning:  Chimpanzees

   Save the Chimps:  Fact Sheet

  1. During your research, be sure to record any similarities and differences between chimps and humans.  After your research is completed, you will consolidate all of your findings into the diagram.
  2.  After each group member is done researching, come together as a group and complete your Venn diagram.  Remember to include both unique and shared characteristics of humans and chimpanzees.  Remember also to include shared adaptations that allow chimps and humans to survive.  Write these adaptations below the diagram.
  3.  After each group has completed the diagram, you will present your Venn diagram to the class, explaining your findings using  a PowerPoint presentation. 

 

Evaluation:

You will be evaluated based on the following rubric:  (CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE COPY)

 

Oral Presentation Rubric Possible Points Self-Assessment Teacher Assessment
Complete Venn diagram with unique adaptations listed at bottom. 25
PowerPoint Presentation well-designed and with 15 slides 25
Presentation was well planned and coherent. (Evidence of rehearsal) 10
Poster board  (helpful, neat) 10
Teamwork:  Every member of group played a role 10
Presentation shows evidence of research on Chimpanzees (good understanding of similarities and differences) 10
Communication Skills (eye contact, posture, clear voice, appropriate volume, transitions between speakers smooth, and all members presented) 10
Total Possible Points 100

Note that half of your grade is based on the completion of the Venn diagram and PowerPoint, while the other half is distributed among different presentation aspects.  Teamwork is a part of your grade as well.  Make sure that each member plays a role in research and presentation.

Conclusion:

Chimpanzees and Humans are very different in many ways.  Humans are much more advanced in thought and practical skills.  Yet, there are still many shared characteristics, such as a complex social hierarchy, ability to use “tools”, and communication.  These adaptations have allowed both humans and chimpanzees to survive, each in their respective habitat.  Understanding chimpanzee behavior can help us understand our own evolution, where we came from, and perhaps where we are going.

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Chapter 44 AP Obj Controlling Internal Environment

 

 

Chapter 44    Controlling the Internal Environment
Objectives
An Overview of Osmoregulation
1. Define osmoregulation and excretion.
2. Define Define osmolarity and distinguish among isoosmotic, hyperosmotic, and hypoosmotic solutions.
3. Distinguish between osmoregulators and osmoconformers. Explain why osmoregulation has an energy cost.
4. Distinguish between stenohaline and euryhaline animals, and explain why euryhaline animals include both osmoconformers and osmoregulators.
5. Discuss the osmoregulatory strategies of marine animals.
6. Explain how the osmoregulatory problems of freshwater animals differ from those of marine animals.
7. Describe anhydrobiosis as an adaptation that helps tardigrades and nematodes to survive periods of dehydration.
8. Describe some adaptations that reduce water loss in terrestrial animals.
9. Describe the ultimate function of osmoregulation. Explain how hemolymph and interstitial fluids are involved in this process.
10. Explain the role of transport epithelia in osmoregulation and excretion.
Water Balance and Waste Disposal
11. Describe the production and elimination of ammonia. Explain why ammonia excretion is most common in aquatic species.
12. Compare the strategies to eliminate waste as ammonia, urea, or uric acid. Note which animal groups are associated with each process and why a particular strategy is most adaptive for a particular group.
13. Compare the amounts of nitrogenous waste produced by endotherms and ectotherms, and by predators and herbivores.
Excretory Systems
14. Describe the key steps in the process of urine production.
15. Describe how a flame-bulb (protonephridial) excretory system functions.
16. Explain how the metanephridial excretory tubule of annelids functions. Compare the structure to the protonephridial system.
17. Describe the Malpighian tubule excretory system of insects.
18. Using a diagram, identify and give the function of each structure in the mammalian excretory system.
19. Using a diagram, identify and describe the function of each region of the nephron.
20. Describe and explain the relationships among the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion in the mammalian kidney.
21. Distinguish between cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons. Explain the significance of the juxtamedullary nephrons of birds and mammals.
22. Explain how the loop of Henle enhances water conservation by the kidney.
23. Explain how the loop of Henle functions as a countercurrent multiplier system.
24. Describe the nervous and hormonal controls involved in the regulation of the kidney.
25. Explain how the feeding habits of the South American vampire bat illustrate the versatility of the mammalian kidney.
26. Describe the structural and physiological adaptations in the kidneys of nonmammalian species that allow them to osmoregulate in different environments.

20. Distinguish between hibernation and aestivation.
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