SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems / 124

Name: ______________________ /121

Date: _________________________
Partners’ Names: __________________________________________________
Fetal Pig Dissection
PART 1: Prelab (to be completed before the lab; refer to handout)
31 marks
1. Outline any safety procedures that must be followed when performing a dissection. /4

2. How will you fasten the fetal pig in the dissecting tray? /1

3. Describe the first set of incisions you will make to expose the abdominal cavity of the pig. /4

4. What structure divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities? /1

5. In the mammalian circulatory system, where does the blood exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen? /1

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems
6. In the mammalian fetus, where does fetal blood exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen? /1

7. External Features of a Fetal Pig

/7
Label the diagram of the pig below using the terms anterior (front), posterior (rear), dorsal (upper), and ventral (lower). Label the
paired rows of nipples, the umbilical cord, the closed eyelids, the tongue, the external ears, the toes, and the tail on your diagram.

8. What is the function of the umbilical cord? /1

9. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one large vein. Identify and label these on your diagram /2

10. What is the function of the mammary glands?

/1

11. Mouth of a Fetal Pig. Label the teeth, tongue, hard and soft palates, epiglottis, and opening to the esophagus
/3

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

12. What are the functions of the tongue, esophagus, epiglottis, and trachea? /4

13. To what organ is the esophagus attached? /1

PART 2: Investigation 3
marks
1. Observe the external features of your fetal pig and identify them as per question #7 (Part A)
2. Observe the mouth of your fetal pig and identify all its parts as per question #11 (Part A)
3. What is the length of your fetal pig? What is its approximate age? ______________________ /2
4. What is the gender of your pig? ______________________ /1
D ig estive S yste m 32
m arks
5. Identify and label the structure of the digestive system of the Fetal Pig. /8

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

6. Describe the inner wall of the stomach. What is its function? /2

7. What are the functions of the cardiac and pyloric sphincter muscles? /2

8. What would be the advantage of having a small intestine lined with villi as opposed to one with a smooth inner lining?/1

9. Measure and record the length of the small and large intestines /2

10. What are the functions of the pancreas? /3

11. What are the functions of the liver? Why do you think it is so large? /4

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

12. In which organ of the digestive system does bile work on fats? /1

13. Indicate the location, structure and function(s) of each of the following /8
Organs Location Structure Function

Esophagus

Stomach

Small
intestine

Large
intestine

14. Explain why the small intestine is so long relative to other organs of the body. /2

Urogenital System 19
marks
15. What organ in the fetal pig removes nitrogenous wastes from the blood? Once these wastes are concentrated, what is
the liquid waste called? /2

16. In the pig, where is liquid waste stored until it is eliminated from the body? /1

17. Identify and label the structure of the urogenital system of the Fetal Pig /8

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

18. Which structure in the male pig transports both waste and reproductive cells to the outside of the body? /1

19. What is the uterus? /1

20. Describe the function of each organ listed below /6

Organ Function
Testis

Vas deferens

Urethra

Ovary
Urogenital
opening
Fallopian tube
Diagram and Label the Kidney
/5

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

Respiratory System
13 marks
21. Identify and label the structures of the respiratory system of the Fetal Pig /5

22. What is the function of the diaphragm? /1

23. How do the lungs of the frog differ from those of the pig? /2

24. What is the purpose of the cartilaginous rings of the trachea? /3

25. The thoracic cavity is surrounded by a stiff rib cage, while the abdominal cavity has a softer muscular wall. Explain how
such structures are beneficial in each case. /2

Circulatory System
13 marks
26. a. Draw and label the heart with the associated blood vessels. /4

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems

b. Draw and label the longitudinal section of the heart with the associated blood vessels. Pay attention to the thickness of the
ventricles /4

27. Why does the heart require its own special circulation system? /1

28. In the fetus, only a small amount of blood travels from the heart to the lungs and back. Why is it not necessary to send all
the blood to the lungs? /2

29. How does fetal circulation differ from the circulation pattern after birth? /2

30. Compare the amphibian heart to the mammalian heart. /4

Synthesis 9
marks
31. The anatomy of the fetal pig is similar to that of humans, but there are important differences.
a. In what ways do you think we are most similar? Explain your reasoning. /3

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SBI 3U1 Unit 4-Human Systems
b. In what ways do you think we are most different? Explain your reasoning. /3

32. Some people have a condition called hiatus hernia. Their cardiac sphincter does not always keep stomach contents from
entering the esophagus. What problems might this cause? /2

33. When people donate a kidney, the incision is usually made through the wall of the back rather than through the front of
the abdomen. Based on the fetal pig dissection, explain why this might be preferred? /1

Evaluation 3
marks
34. What difficulties arose during your dissection? Which system(s) was (were) difficult to view with great detail? /2

35. What other type of equipment or techniques might be used to improve your dissection? /1

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