Project #3: Introduction to Frog Dissection

Here is my third project. I chose to make an assignment for my students to complete using a demo of a virtual frog dissection. Below is the completed assignment:

Introduction to Frog Dissection

1.      Go to the Froguts website (www.froguts.com) and click on the ‘demo’ link

2.      Pay attention to the information given to learn more about the common bullfrog

a.       Phylum: Chordata     Species: Amphibia

b.      Scientific Name for Common Bullfrog: Rana catesbiana

3.      Press the 3d button to get a better view of the dorsal (top) side of the frog

a.       Move the cursor around the screen to rotate the frog

b.      What is unique about the surface of the frog’s skin? It is an absorbent respiratory surface

c.       How much water does a frog need to drink? None, it receives its water through its skin

d.      What is one useful function of the mucus on a frog’s skin? Aids in absorption and makes them slippery to predators

e.       Another unique thing about frog’s skin are the chromatophores.  What makes them unique? Change color and regulate temperature

4.      When prompted, click on the frog’s eye.

a.       What is the name of the third eyelid found on frogs? Nictitating membrane

5.      Next, click on the external nares (similar to mammalian nostrils)

a.       The external nares lead from the outside air, directly to the roof of the mouth for smelling capability

6.      Click on the tympanum, the external ear drum of the frog

7.      Next, click on the cloaca, the opening for urine and feces.

8.      Flip the frog over to its ventral side

9.      Press the pin button on the right side of the screen.   Place a green pin on each red target to secure the arms and legs of the frog.

10.  After pinning, press on the abdomen and click on the scalpel button

a.       Follow the red, dashed lines to make three incisions in the abdomen

11.  Open the skin flaps and pin down, then pin back the muscle.

12.  Locate and click on the thorax.  Use the scissors to make two more incisions. Pull back the flaps and pin down.

13.  Click on the magnifying glass to zoom in on the inner contents.

14.  Locate and click on the heart, liver, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, lungs, bladder and kidneys.  (Pay special attention so that you can identify these organs on your frogs during our class dissection.)

Congratulations!  You’ve finished the virtual part of our lab.  Now you’re ready for the real thing in class next week. 

 

Reflection:
I think that using this technology would be really useful as an introduction to frog dissection. Giving this introduction would help students know what to look for instead of randomly cutting into the frogs. It would also help students who are worried about the dissection to get used to the idea of it.