Download File - Mrs. Rosewitz

Name:_________________________________________
Period:______________
Rat Dissection (100 points)
Directions: Answer the questions below as you proceed with the dissection. Make sure that
EVERYONE in your group can identify all structures and explain their functions. I will come around to
quiz you and will randomly pick someone from your group to explain. It is in your best interest for
EVERYONE to understand EVERYTHING because you will get a group grade based on individual
responses.
Introduction and External Anatomy
1. Why are we dissecting a rat and not a different type of animal? (1 pt)
2. Why are you going to use scissors rather than a scalpel to dissect today? (1 pt)
3. What are the sensory hairs on the face of a rat called? (1 pt)
4. What is the purpose of the nictitating membrane? (1 pt)
5. Do both sexes of rats have teats? (1 pt)
External Anatomy
6. What is the sex of your rat? How do you know this? (2 pts)
7. What external clue is there for the approximate number of babies a female rat could produce? What
leads you to think this? (3 pts)
Thoracic Organs
8. Obtain a drawing from me. Have one group member DRAW AND LABEL the thoracic and abdominal
organs in the appropriate location. This needs to be done BEFORE you remove any organs. (16 pts)
9. Where is the diaphragm located? What is its purpose? (1 pt)
10. What are the upper chambers of the heart called? What are the lower chambers of the heart called? (1
pt)
11. How many chambers are there in a rat’s heart? (1 pt)
12. Locate the trachea. Predict what would happen if you were to insert a straw into the trachea (still
attached to the lungs) and blow into the straw. (2 pts)
13. Locate and label the following organs: (10 pts)
a. Thymus
c. Lungs
b. Heart
d. Trachea
***When you are done call me over to check your work.
Abdominal Organs
14. Which organ produces bile? What is the function of bile? (2 points)
15. Do rats need a gallbladder? Why or why not? (2 pts)
e. Esophagus
16. In which part of the digestive system do humans sometimes get “heart burn”? (1 pt)
17. Locate the trachea and esophagus. What distinguishes the trachea from the esophagus? (2 pts)
18. Cut open the stomach. What are the ridges found inside the stomach used for? (1 point)
19. Was there “stuff” inside the stomach? What do you think that “stuff” was? (2 pts)
20. What is the function of the spleen? (1 pt)
21. Stretch out the intestines. How long are the intestines of your rat? (2 points)
22. Which part of the intestines contain bacteria that aid in digestion? (1 pt)
23. Which organ in rats is similar to the appendix in humans? What does this structure signify? (2 pts)
24. What is the function of the rectum? (1 pt)
25. Locate and label the following organs: (10 pts)
a. Liver
d. Spleen
b. Kidneys
e. Pancreas
c. Stomach
f. Small intestine
g. Large intestine
***When you are done call me over to check your work.
Urogenital System
26. Cut the kidney’s length wise. Feel the side walls of the kidneys, how do they differ from the outside? (2
points)
27. What is the difference between renal arteries and renal veins? (2 pts)
28. Why is the urethral orifice in different locations in male and female rats? (2 pts)
29. Only answer these question if you have a male rat:
a. What is the major reproductive organ? Which structure stores sperm cells? (2 points)
30. Only answer these questions if you have a female rat: (2 pts)
a. What enables rats to carry multiple embryos?
Class Participation Grade:
Turned in a dissected rat, not a destroyed rat. Mrs. Rosewitz’ Initials:
22 pts