Download Are You Shark Smart

Are you Shark Smart?
Shark Anatomy
Shark Skeleton
• Made of calcified
cartilage
• Spinal Nerve Cord
Carries nerve
impulses
• Vertebrae - Form
the shark’s
backbone of
cartilage
External Features of the Shark
• The backbone side of the shark is known as the Dorsal
Side
• The belly side of the shark is known as the Ventral Side
• Anterior means towards the head
• Posterior means towards the tail
Male or Female?
The male shark has claspers,
the female shark does not
What do the various fins do?
• Dorsal fins: Help the shark
maintain stability (unpaired)
• 2nd Dorsal fin: Stabilizes
the shark’s forward
swimming motion
(unpaired)
• Pectoral fin: helps the
shark move up or down or
left or right (paired)
• Pelvic fin: Helps the shark
change course (paired)
• Anal fin: Offers stability and
an extra bit of turbulent
push (unpaired)
• Caudal Fin: Helps with
movement
Shark Sensors
• Ampullae's of
Lorenzini: Pores
which help locate
prey
• Lateral Line: sharks
sense of distant
touch
Shark Senses
• Eyes – similar to the eyes of man
• Nictitating Membrane - protective
membrane that covers the eye
• Nostrils – help the shark detect blood and
injured flesh at great distances
How does the shark breathe?
• Gill Slits: Water taken into the mouth passes
over the gill slits so oxygen can be removed
• Spiracle: Help bring water into the mouth for
breathing when the shark’s mouth is closed
Shark Teeth
On the skin and in their mouth!
• Shark Teeth: Several
rows; size and shape
varies with the type of
shark
• Denticles:Tooth-like
projections on the
skin. They help with
protection and
movement
Shark Internal Anatomy
Upon incision of the belly from the pelvic fins to the pectoral fins,
the first organ encountered is the liver. The liver of sharks
occupies most of the body cavity. This large, soft and oily organ
can comprise up to 25% of the total body weight.
The liver serves two functions within the shark:
• Energy store - since all fatty reserves are stored here.
• Hydrostatic organ - Oils that are lighter than water are
stored in the liver. This decreases the density of the body
providing buoyancy to counteract the sinking tendency of
sharks.
Digestive System
• Esophagus - Tube leading to the
stomach
• Stomach - “J” shaped organ –
from here food passes into the
intestine
• Intestine –This is found posterior
to the stomach. Part of the
intestine is marked by rings. The
intestine has a spiral valve.
• Cloaca – where waste material
leaves the body
• Kidney - excretes liquid waste
• Anus - where waste leaves the
body
Internal Organs
• Spleen - dark, triangular structure found
near the posterior end of the stomach. It
helps to filter the blood of dead blood cells.
• Pancreas - Whitish organ found on the
ventral side of the stomach. Further
breaks down food.
• Gall Bladder - Small organ near the
stomach which stores bile.
Cardiopulmonary System
Heart:
• Two chambered heart
• Blood enters one chamber at a time.
Gills:
• Oxygen–rich water comes in
through the mouth
• Gills filter out the oxygen and
release the water and waste
gases.
Reproductive System
• Ovary - 2 round female organs which
produce eggs
• The ova (eggs) form in the ovaries of the
female shark and move down the oviducts
to the uterus.
The Brain
Partial List of Functions:
• Cerebellum is in charge of
body movement
• Hindbrain processes most
sensory information and
moves the head
• Tectum integrates sensory
information
• Olfactory lobes are for the
sense of smell
• Diencephalon regulates
hormones and some behaviors
• Forebrain coordinates sensory
information
Are you ready for dissection?