LAB ACTIVITY: FROG DISSECTION

In Partial fulfillment of the requirements in

General Biology 2

Presented By:

Neil Raver A. Balmes

12- Linnaeus

Jonas Cabusbusan
Subject Teacher
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Regional Office No. 08
Leyte Division
TANAUAN SCHOOL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND HOME INDUSTRIES
Tanauan, Leyte

NAME: Neil Raver A. Balmes DATE: November 7,

2024
GR. & SEC: 12 – LINNAEUS SCORE:
________________

Laboratory No. 2.2

Frog Dissection

Learning Objectives
  Students will gain an understanding of the various body systems and
organs of the frog.
 Students will engage in dissection as a scientific method, gaining
practical experience in observing biological specimens
 Students will learn and apply safe dissection techniques using
appropriate tools for a respectful learning experience.

I. Abstract

In this dissection activity, we examined the frog, a commonly studied species

due to its unique anatomical features and its ability to provide insights into
vertebrate biology. Frogs offer a simpler comparison to humans, as their
respiratory system utilizes both lungs and skin for gas exchange. The
primary objective was to explore frog anatomy and analyze the similarities
and differences with human organs. By examining systems such as
circulatory, digestive, and reproductive, we noted that certain organ
arrangements were comparable between the two species, reflecting a shared
evolutionary background. Upon completion, we determined that the
dissected frog was female, identified by the tympanic membrane's
characteristics and the presence of ovaries. This activity deepened our
understanding of frog anatomy and its relevance to vertebrate biology.

II. Introduction

Frogs and humans are both classified as vertebrates, meaning they possess
a backbone, and they share several similarities in their organ systems. While
the internal organs of frogs and humans differ in structure and function,
studying frog anatomy through dissection can provide valuable insights into
our physiology. During our exploration, we will closely examine each bodily
system of the frog, such as the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive
systems, while also identifying and analyzing the individual organs within
each system. As we progress through our dissection, a key aspect of our
study will be to compare the anatomical features of frogs with those of
humans. This comparison will help us understand the evolutionary
relationships and functional adaptations that characterize different
vertebrate species. It's worth noting that the companies supplying these
frogs ensure that they do not belong to endangered species. These
organizations prioritize ethical practices and use safe, non-toxic solutions to
preserve the specimens in a way that maintains their anatomical integrity.
Safety is paramount when working with preserved specimens. Therefore, we
must remember to wear appropriate protective gloves and thoroughly wash
our hands before and after handling the tissue samples. To maximize this
educational opportunity and demonstrate our respect for the frog as a living
organism, we must adhere to all outlined directions and safety procedures
throughout the dissection process. By doing so, we ensure both our safety
and the ethical handling of these specimens.
III. Methods & Materials

1 Toad
Push Pins
Cotton / Cotton Balls
Laboratory Gown
Surgical Gloves
Facemasks
Alcohol
Zonrox
Ruler

Disecting Equipment
Dissection Tray
Dissection Pins
Probe or Dissection Needle
Forcepts
Scissors or Scalpel
Ruler

Dissection Procedure

Pithing Procedure

Before the experiment, you need to make the frog insensitive to pain. Pithing
is one procedure to carry out this. Pithing will destroy the brain, which is
located between the eyes. (For some experiments, pithing will include
severing the spinal cord.) Pithing is painless to the frog.

Please read the entire procedure before beginning so you can

perform it quickly.

1. Hold the frog facing away from your body, with the lower extremities
extended.
2. Grasp the frog with your first two fingers: first finger on the nose, second
finger under the jaw. Flex the head forward (away from your body).
3. Move the probe down midline until you reach the soft spot. Do not use
undo pressure on the frog skin. The frog skull is hard cartilage; the soft spot
is at the end of the skull.
4. Insert the probe quickly into the cranial vault and sever the brain and
spinal cord.
5. Move the probe into the cranial vault from side to side to destroy the
brain.
6. Test for reflexes to confirm that sensory perception has been destroyed
and ensure that the spinal cord stays intact, although it is now in shock.
7. Keep the frog moist. The frog will still be breathing because frogs breathe
primarily through the skin, not the lungs, so it is crucial to keep the frog
moist.

IV. Results
In our frog dissection lab, we tried to paralyze the frog at first and thought it
was completely paralyzed, but after a few minutes, it suddenly started
moving a lot. So, we had to paralyze it again, and this time it bled a bit, and
we heard a cracking sound when we pierced and cut the spinal cord but after
that the frog was completely paralyzed. After we paralyzed the frog, we
pinned it down to the dissecting plate. When we opened the frog, we saw its
organs, like the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines, stomach, pancreas,
bladder, and ovaries. We took out the ovaries first to make it easier to get to
the other organs. As we removed each organ, we examined them. When we
opened the stomach, we found things the frog had eaten, like grass, worms,
snails, bits of rice, small rocks, and some other dirt. The coolest part was
when we took out the heart—it kept beating for a little while on the tray
before it finally stopped.

V. Discussion

To immobilize the frog, we had to repeatedly puncture its back with a needle
to locate and damage its spinal cord. This process caused significant
bleeding and distress to the frog, as evidenced by its increased movement
and likely pain. The frog's tongue was positioned at the back of its mouth,
appearing sticky and slimy. Its dorsal surface, or back, was a greenish yellow
color with brown spots, while its ventral surface, or belly, was a lighter green,
almost white, with a few brown spots. Each foot had five unwebbed toes. The
frog's skin felt rough and slightly scaly to the touch. Upon dissection, we
determined the frog was female due to the presence of ovaries within its
body cavity. We carefully removed the ovaries first to avoid damaging other
internal organs. As we proceeded with the dissection, we encountered a
strong, unpleasant odor, particularly when we opened the stomach and
accidentally punctured the bladder.

VI. Conclusion

The frog dissection lab helped us learn about amphibian anatomy and how
organs work. We identified major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver,
stomach, intestines, and kidneys. Each organ plays a role in maintaining
balance in the body, like human systems.
One important part of our investigation was the frog's three-chambered
heart. We saw how it supports both lung and body circulation, though it does
this less efficiently than a mammal's four-chambered heart. This design
allows frogs to thrive in both water and on land, but it has some limitations.

VII. References

Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2005). Biology (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
Hickman, C. P., Roberts, L. S., & Larson, A. (2001). Integrated Principles of
Zoology (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill
Kent, G. C., & Carr, R. K. (2001). Comparative vertebrate anatomy: A
laboratory dissection guide (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

VIII. Appendices