Exercise No.

4 Preparation of a Whole Mount of Placoid Scales

spine

Shark skin (Shagreen) Made of matrix of tiny, hard, tooth-like structures called dermal denticles or placoid scales Placoid scales (G: plax, plate; -oid, like) Consits of a basal plate embedded in the skin and a protruding spine Two layers that compose the scale: o Outer layer of enamel a very hard calcareous secretion that consists of calcium carbonate with a small percentage of organic matter o Inner layer of dentine a tissue resembling bone in many respects but is harder Within each scale is a conical pulp cavity the same structure seen in vertebrate teeth Note: teeth and placoid scales are homologous structures Shaped like curved, grooved teeth and make the skin a very tough armor with a texture like sandpaper Are packed tightly together and grow with their tips facing backward Do not continue to grow indefinitely; they may be replaced when old, worn out, or lost These scales also help the shark swim more quickly because their streamlined shapes helps decrease the friction of the water flowing along the shark's body, by channeling it through grooves. Function: protection against abrasion and predators, (and in some sharks) may have a hydrodynamic function

base

Figure 3: Isolated placoid scale

Figure 4: Parts of Placoid Scale (c.s.)

Figure 1: Shark skin cross section

Information about the Procedure: NaOH or KOH destroys all organic matter, leaving the scales free and clean Washing with water to remove the smell of the hydroxide Eosin o A water soluble dye o A red, crystalline powder, designated by the formula C20H8O5Br4 o An orange-pink dye used to stain cytoplasm, collage and muscle fibers Eosin Y (used in the experiment) o Most common counterstain to alum hematoxylin in the Hematoxylin&Eosin method (H & E) o Stains satisfactorily from both aqueous and ethanolic solution o Bright red dye o A tetrabromo derivative of flurescein Different grades of alcohol (50%, 70%, 80%, 90%) o Sequence of dehydration Xylol clearing agent to remove oil Canada Balsam o a general permanent mounting medium for dehydrated whole specimens (specimens must be dehydrated in alcohol/xylene series) o is prepared by collecting the resin exuded by Abies balsamica (the balsam fir)

Figure 2: Shark skin whole mount