Squid Dissection

Every Friday my Biology class seems to be getting into the routine of doing a dissection. These hands on examinations are very enjoyable, espectially with such neat creatures. The goal of this lab was to investigate and identify the external and internal componenets of our squid to help us further learn about this animal. Looking at the external elements of this organisnm uplcose was super neat because I have only ever seen thhis type of a cephlapod in movies. After observing the external part of the squid we then proceeded to slice open the outer layer with a scalpel carefully avoiding puncutring any of the internal parts before spreading it apart. Locating the different internal components of the squid we were able to connect what we had learned in class with this Kinesthetic experience. For example we learned about the ink jet in class and how it allows the squid to camoflaouge and escape from predatory animals. During the disection we were able to find the ink jet on another group's squid and fully comprehend how it excretes the ink. Some other cool things we learned in class with the hlep of note packages and videos was that the squid has a highly developed brain and advance vision making it one of the smartes creatures in the sea.

These dissections have truly helped me understand more about these organisms and how they survive. They have made me realize that I am a hands on learner who needs to visualize lessons in order to comprehend them fully. Overall the dissection was worth while even though it turned the classroom into a smelly learning envrionment.. I can't wait to see what we dissect next!

1) The squid I dissected had 2 arms and 8 tentacles.

2) The arm is better for grabbing prey and holding onto them, as well as latching onto surfaces like cave walls.
Tentacles are shorter and quicker which is why they help more with locomotion.

3. Water comes out the back of the funnel propelling the squid forward.

4)Two external features that are adaptations for the squid's predatory life include tentacles which help the squid grasp things and feed on things. Another adaptation is the waterjet helps for proulsion and movement.

 

5) Suids and mollusks share a body cavity (colem) and botha re bilaterally symmetrical.

1) The squid has 2 gills. Marking them is the green arrows.



2) The inc sac empties into the waterjet. The function is to distract and escape predators acting as a defense system.

3. The function of the pen is to stabilize the squid when swimming. Without the pen the squid would loose its shape and eventually collapse.



4.Waste exits through the anus then the water jet..