Sponge Dissection: who belong to the phylum Porifera, are very simple creatures. They possess no organs or digestive tract. They have no respiratory system, but instead, they filter feed. It is very hard to see sponges seeming alive, because typically they stick to rocks, coral reefs, sea beds, etc. They don't move much, either. We didn't take any pictures of this lab, so you'll have to use your imagination to think of what it looked like.
Sponge Ecology: Many sponges provide habitats for other organisms such as snails, sea stars, and shrimp. Sponges can also form relationships with bacteria, algae, and plant-like protists which provides food and oxygen to the animal. In turn, the sponge provides a protected area where the other organisms can live. In addition, because sponges are often attached to the sea floor, they only receive low levels of sunlight. However these animals have developed spicules that focus and direct incoming light to cells below. This provides sunlight for other symbiotic organisms to carry out photosynthesis and also allows the sponge to survive in a wide range of habitats.
Jellyfish Dissection: Jellyfish, which belong to the phylum Cnidaria have multiple differences when compared to Sponges, who belong to the phylum Porifera. For example, jellyfish have tiny little tentacles to help them move along in the water. Jellyfish also have organs, while sponges do not. The organs of the jellyfish are quite simple, but organs none the less. They have a digestive system and a set of gonads,which are reproductive organs. Another difference between the two species would be the stages of growth in their lives. Jellyfish go through two stages, while sponges only go through one stage.
Jellyfish Ecology: In the past corals have been threatened by naturally occurring disasters. These disasters were not devastating enough to wipe out a family of coral. However, today it is a different story. Now the human population has accelerated and increased the risk of extinction for these corals. Examples of this include, recreational divers accidentally damaging reefs, mining and logging washing silt and other kinds of sediments onto the corals. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides are also quite dangerous. They cover the coral in a blanket of chemicals that suffocates them. Even if a coral is attacked by one of these harmful elements, it may survive, but it leaves the coral defenseless to other natural predators.
Earthworm Dissection: The Annelids have been much more complex than the organisms previously studied. For example, organs and organ systems are present. Neither of these are present in the jellyfish dissected. They have also adapted to living life as a land creature rather than underwater, a big evolutionary leap. Also present in the earthworm is segmentation and a central nervous system, resulting in cephalization. This shows how much more advanced these organisms are as compared to the previous phyla discussed.
Earthworm Ecology: Annelids such as the earthworm spend much of their lives burrowing in soil, aerating it, and mixing it to depths of 2 meters. The tunnels they create provide passageways for plants roots and water and allow beneficial soil bacteria to grow. Worms pull plant matter deep into the ground where they digest it and mix it with bacteria that help the matter decompose; annelids also bring minerals from lower layers of the soil up to the surface. Earthworms are also an important part of the diet of birds, moles, skunks, toads, and other animals. Marine annelids and their larvae are also an important food for fish and crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters.
Squid Dissection: Squids are very advanced creatures when in comparison with simpler creatures, such as sponges or jellyfish. Some of the aspects that make squids so complex are their cells, structures, and actions. An example of a squid's cells being so specialized would be the cells they possess in their skin called cromatophores, which are cells that allow them change color like a chameleon. Squids also have a very complicated body plan. The squid's body actually possesses something know as cephaliziation, which means that their head region is seperate from the rest of their body. Also relating to the bodily structure of squids, they have a full system of organs. They have a mouth, a digestive system, some eyes, a heart, and an inc sac, along with many more smaller organs intended for less major bodily functions. Sponges and Jellyfish only have partially formed systems. Squids have so far been the most advanced critter that we have dissected thus far
Squid Ecology: Mollusks are very important to their environment for a variety of reasons. For one, they filter out algae, they also feed on some smaller animals and plants, giving them a large role in the food chain. Some bivalves also have a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the local bacteria. Mollusks are also finding a good use for humans. As they soak up many pollutants, we can learn about water pollution from them. They are also used for cancer research because they seem to be immune to the disease.
Grasshopper Dissection: Compared to other phylas (like Porifera, Cnideria, Annelida, and Molluska), the grasshopper is much more complex. Grasshoppers have much more advanced appendages for tactile sense (antennae). They also have very advanced movement appendages (walking legs, jumping legs, and wings). Grasshoppers have a more advanced respiratory systems than the rest of the phylas. Oxygen is taken in through it's thorax, then the oxygen is distributed throughout the body. Grasshoppers also have a very advanced visual system. They have two different types of eyes on their body. They have a pair of two complex eyes on the front of their head. In between the two complex eyes is a simple eye.
Grasshoppper Ecology: Many insects are known for their negative effects on humans or the environment. Some types of arthropods can cost billions of dollars of damage in just a year. Other insects such as mosquitoes or ticks can transmit deadly diseases to both people and other organisms in their environment. Despite these negative points, these small creatures help to pollinate crops, flowers, trees, and other plants that are vital to humans. Agriculture could not survive without them. In addition, insects serve as an important food source for a variety of birds, amphibians, and other animals.
Fish Dissection: The perch was a very fun dissection. Throughout the dissection, it was easy to observe that the perch was much more complex than almost all the other creatures we dissected. The perch had specialized organs, which almost looked similar to our own organs. The perch had a complete digestive system full of organs, such as a mouth (with teeth and a tongue), an esophagus, a stomach, a liver, a pancreas, an intestine, and the anus. The perch also had other organs used for various different functions, such as the gall bladder (which it uses to raise and lower itself in the water), a heart, and some gonads, along with other smaller organs. It also had a full skeletal system. This skeletal system helps to keep the fish from collapsing in on itself under the immense pressure of the water that it swims around in. Last but certainly not least, the perch has a super efficient system of movement. They have 7 different fins, which, in conjunction with the gall bladder mentioned earlier, allows it to skillfully maneuver in the water.
Chordata Ecology (Frogs): Most amphibians, such as frogs, need to live near water or in a moist place such as a rainforest. Some amphibians can also live in places such as the desert, but they must have special adaptations to survive. Because frogs make an easy meal for a variety predators, many have adapted to display skin markings that ward off potential enemies; in addition, some amphibians can ooze a unpleasant-tasting toxin from a gland. However, recent studies have shown that frog populations are decreasing. These animals are very susceptible to decreasing habitats, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and increasing human populations.
Frog Ecology: There are five main classes. These are classes Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. The Osteichthyes class consists of bony fish and even some types of shark. The Amphibia class is made up of salamanders, frogs, and Newts. The Reptilia class is made up of snakes, crocodiles, lizards, etc. The Aves class consists of many types of birds. Lastly, the chordate subclass is made up of us humans, and almost every warm-blooded four-legged walking creature.