Assignment: Dogfish Shark Dissection

(http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/courses/bio204/lab3_frameset.htm)
Fill in the table with the functions of the digestive tract, comparing the digestive system
of a mammal with Necturus and the Dogfish. For equivalent structures, write same,
absent or the new structure.

Organ

Function in Mammal

Video Link

Dogfis
h
Equiv
alent

Esophagus

transports food from the pharynx to

the stomach, uses pareistalsis,
amalayse breaks down starch

same

Stomach

scecretes gastric juice to break down

macromolecules in the food bolus,
connects to the esophagus and the
small intestine, blocked off by
sphincters

same,
Jshaped

Pyloric
sphincter

blocking mechanisim between the

stomach and the small intestine, helps
to regulate the passing of the chime
from the stomach into the samll
intestine for further digestion,
controls it by releasing the food in
about 2-6 hours

same

Small
intestine

main digestion organ, made of three

parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and
ileum, different enzymes from the
pancreas, liver and gall bladder are
secreted into the small intestine to
digest nutrients, villi and microvilli in
the walls have large surface area and
help absorb nutrients through
diffusion

only
contains
the
duodenu
m part
of the
intestine
and has
a
modifie
d ileum
same

Large
intestine

The large intestine is where the

undigested waste goes after the small
intestine. In the colon, water and
vitamins are absorbed which in turn
makes the feces hard.

Caecum

It is the first part of the large

intestine or the junction between the
large and small intestine. It is where
the undigested waste in the small
intestine goes into the colon.

same

Anus

The anus in humans is the last part of

the digestive tract and is where the
final waste product exits.

same

Pancreas

The pancread is an endocrine gland

that produces several hormones
including insulin, glugcagon, and

same

somatosatin. It releases pancreatic

juices containing digestive
enzymes that pass to the small
intestine.

Spleen

It acts as a filter for blood in part of

the immune system. Old reb blood
cells are recycled to the spleen, and
platelets and white blood cells are
stored there. The spleen also helps
fight against certian kinds of bacteria
that can cause pnemonia and
meningitis.

same

Gall
bladder

It stores bile which is a yellowbrown digestive enzyme produced by

the liver, it is part of the bilary tract.

same

Liver

the liver regulates chemical levels in

the blood and excrete bile which
helps to break down fats. It processes
blood and it also metabolizes drugs.

same

it produces certain proteins for blood

plasma, produces cholesterol and
proteins to carry fat throughout the
body, stores and releases glucose as
needed, clearing of drugs from the
blood, blood colotting, and resisting
infections.

Heart