Bio 231 - Lab #4

LAB #: 4
DATE: 10/20/2022
TITLE: Vertebrae Dissection – Bony Fish
AIM: To dissect a bony fish and identify the organs.
MATERIALS:
1. A fish
2. Scalpel
3. Scissors
4. Gloves
5. Pencil
6. Paper
7. Waxed pan
8. Disinfectant
9. Paper towel
PROCEDURES:
1. A fine scalpel blade was inserted into the anus of the fish.
2. The incision was then extended anteriorly along the fish’s belly towards its head.
3. The incision passed anteriorly through the pelvic fins.
4. Scissors were used to cut anteriorly through the bones attached to pelvic fin.
5. A forward cut was made along the narrow, fleshy space beneath the head and
between the gill covers.

6. The two walls of the body cavity were pulled apart and the internal organs were
exposed.
7. The adipose tissue and gut were pulled aside to expose the swim bladder, gonads, and
kidneys.
8. The gut and other organs attached to it were pulled forward out of the way.
9. The other organs were removed to expose the swim bladder at the top of the body
cavity.
10. The right gill cover was removed to expose the underlying gills.
RESULTS:
DISCUSSION:
Fishes have two kinds of fins: paired fins (pectoral and pelvic) and median fins (dorsal, caudal,
and anal). The two fins on a fish's flanks are called the pectoral fins. These fins are primarily in
charge of directing movement in either an upward or downward direction. The pelvic fins'
function varies from fish to fish, much like their shape does. They serve as an aerofoil, brake,
propeller, and rudder when swimming, as well as for ground walking and hovering. When
swimming, the dorsal fins increase the body's lateral surface, which improves stability but also
increases drag. The caudal fin, also known as the tail fin, is found at the end of a fish and gives
it the ability to move forward. It also functions as a rudder to aid in fish steering. Caudal fins can
be forked, heart-shaped, square, or rounded, among other morphologies. The fish's form is in line
with its cruising speed. Similar to the keel on the bottom of a boat, the anal fin aids in stabilizing
a fish. Fish with long dorsal and anal fins and deep bodies, such as bluegills, need additional
stability to remain upright in the water. In order to help them swim, burbots and eel-like fishes
also have long dorsal and anal fins. The gas bladder, also known as the swim bladder, is a gas-
filled sac with a flexible wall that is situated in the dorsal region of the body cavity. It regulates
the fish's buoyancy and plays a crucial role in hearing in some species. My fish had cycloid
scales. To provide additional flexibility and to safeguard the fish, the scales overlap. The
majority of fish develop scales as they grow, which results in a ring pattern resembling that of a
tree. Rays and spines, which are rod-shaped structures, support a membrane that makes up a fin.
Rays are the flexible, supple fin supports; spines are the rigid, pointy rays. The dorsal fin's spines
can be employed to elevate it high enough to give the impression that the fish is larger and less
appealing to a predator. The gills in fish are used to assist with breathing. The majority of fish
have gills on each side of their heads. A huge surface area for gas exchange is provided by the
tissues known as gills, which are composed of feathery structures known as gill filaments.
Similar to human lungs, fish's gill filaments are the organs in charge of taking in oxygen and
releasing carbon dioxide. The principal site of nitrogenous waste excretion in the form of
ammonia is through the gills, which also control blood pH and levels of mineral ions.
SOURCE OF ERROR/LIMITATION: A source of error was popping the air bladder of the fish.
A source of error was identifying the organs wrong.
CONCLUSION: A bony fish was dissected, and the organs were identified.
REFERENCE:
70 Trout in the Classroom Activity Guide Types of Fins Dorsal and Anal Fins. (n.d.).
https://www.isu.edu/media/libraries/museum/TIC-Activity-Guide-70.pdf
‌https://www.facebook.com/thespruceofficial. (2019). Fishes’ Fascinating Gill
Filaments. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/gill-filaments-
1381635
‌The Spruce. (2013). Facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/thespruceofficial.
Drawing Lab: ________________________________
Clarity and Accuracy:
Clear, accurate representation of specimen [2]
No shading, no unnecessary detail [2]
Clean, continuous lines of even thickness [2]
Looks like specimen at magnification [1]
Annotations/Labels:
Lines drawn with ruler in pencil, not crossing [1]
Lines touching labeled structure, no arrowheads [1]
Accurate labels and annotations [1]
Acceptable Title:
Accurate description of specimen, below drawing, in caps, underlined [1]
Calculate accurate magnification [1]

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LAB #: 4

TITLE: Vertebrae Dissection – Bony Fish

AIM: To dissect a bony fish and identify the organs.

3. The incision passed anteriorly through the pelvic fins.

between the gill covers.

A source of error was identifying the organs wrong.

Drawing Lab: ________________________________

Clarity and Accuracy:

Clear, accurate representation of specimen [2]

No shading, no unnecessary detail [2]

Clean, continuous lines of even thickness [2]

Looks like specimen at magnification [1]

Lines drawn with ruler in pencil, not crossing [1]

Lines touching labeled structure, no arrowheads [1]

Accurate labels and annotations [1]

Accurate description of specimen, below drawing, in caps, underlined [1]

Calculate accurate magnification [1]

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