COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
FETAL PIG DISECTION
Comparative Biology is a category of biology in which we we look at the organismic diversity of an animal to the human body in order to get a better understanding of our own bodies. We chose to dissect fetal pigs for our first dissection so that we could get a closer and clearer look on the insides of an animal that has part that are often compared to our own bodily organs. This was a great hands on opportunity in which we were able to physically remove parts of the pig and observe the different organs to get a better insight on how they make up the body and how they work. I think that this was the perfect animal to dissect because it was small enough to be able to do in class, but big enough to be able to see the organs in detail. We were also able to look at the organs under the telescope to be able to see the texture and grooves of the organs if necessary.
WARNING: SOME OF THE PICTURES BELOW ARE VERY GRAPHIC AS THEY INCLUDE DETAILED IMAGES OF THE DISSECTION.
Nervous System:
Before and during the dissection, we learned that the nervous system is divided into two parts: the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. During the dissection, we were able to clearly see the brain and the spinal cord, which are both part of the central nervous system. By dissecting and examining the fetal pig, we were able to see in detail ll of the organs, bones, and nerves of the fetal pig. We removed the skin and muscle and were able to expose the entire vertebral column. We saw all of the nerves that connect the brain to the spinal cord and the rest of the body, and it was amazing to think about that all of that stuff was inside of us humans too, in larger proportions of course. I found the nervous system most interesting part of the dissection because it was mind bottling to think about how every nerve causes an action and a reaction.
Before and during the dissection, we learned that the nervous system is divided into two parts: the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. During the dissection, we were able to clearly see the brain and the spinal cord, which are both part of the central nervous system. By dissecting and examining the fetal pig, we were able to see in detail ll of the organs, bones, and nerves of the fetal pig. We removed the skin and muscle and were able to expose the entire vertebral column. We saw all of the nerves that connect the brain to the spinal cord and the rest of the body, and it was amazing to think about that all of that stuff was inside of us humans too, in larger proportions of course. I found the nervous system most interesting part of the dissection because it was mind bottling to think about how every nerve causes an action and a reaction.
Cardiovascular System:
The cardiovascular system is an organ system that is meant to permit blood flow and lymph circulation to transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells throughout the body. The heart, the center and most important and central part of the cardiovascular system, is covered and protected by the lungs, which are the oxygen supply to the body. It was covered with blood vessels which are part of the coronary circulation along with a arteries and veins which nourish the heart tissue. When we cut open the heart, we were able to see all of the veins and arteries that supply the blood and oxygen to and from the heart and the rest of the body.
The cardiovascular system is an organ system that is meant to permit blood flow and lymph circulation to transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells throughout the body. The heart, the center and most important and central part of the cardiovascular system, is covered and protected by the lungs, which are the oxygen supply to the body. It was covered with blood vessels which are part of the coronary circulation along with a arteries and veins which nourish the heart tissue. When we cut open the heart, we were able to see all of the veins and arteries that supply the blood and oxygen to and from the heart and the rest of the body.
Respiratory System:
The respiratory system mainly consists of the lungs and the heart, which pump fresh oxygen-rich blood to the brain and the rest of the body. The diaphragm, which separates the respiratory from the digestive organs, of the fetal pig was in the respiratory system. It moves up and down, changing air pressure in the chest cavity, causing air to move into and our of the lungs. The lungs are very spongy in texture which makes sense considering that they expand whenever air is taken in and then released. When we took out the lungs, we could see the cavity in which the air comes into and out of the lungs.
The respiratory system mainly consists of the lungs and the heart, which pump fresh oxygen-rich blood to the brain and the rest of the body. The diaphragm, which separates the respiratory from the digestive organs, of the fetal pig was in the respiratory system. It moves up and down, changing air pressure in the chest cavity, causing air to move into and our of the lungs. The lungs are very spongy in texture which makes sense considering that they expand whenever air is taken in and then released. When we took out the lungs, we could see the cavity in which the air comes into and out of the lungs.
Digestive System:
The digestive system consisted of the large and small intestine, which is where nutrients travel in the pig's system as well as in ours. When we took out the intestines, we noticed that they were about five times as long as the actual pig itself, which makes me wonder how long a human's intestines are. There seemed to be so many different elements that make up the pig's body and they all have different functions that help the body function.
The digestive system consisted of the large and small intestine, which is where nutrients travel in the pig's system as well as in ours. When we took out the intestines, we noticed that they were about five times as long as the actual pig itself, which makes me wonder how long a human's intestines are. There seemed to be so many different elements that make up the pig's body and they all have different functions that help the body function.