The Anatomical and Physiological Similarities and Differences Amongst Five Organisms

with Different Taxonomical Classifications

Lasha Kelley-Little

lashakelley-little@my.unt.edu

BIOL1760-535

Tuesday and Thursday 8:30pm-10:50pm

November 28th,2017

Mearaj Shaikh
 Abstract

Through a total of five dissections, the anatomical and physiological aspects of the bodily

systems related to an Earthworm, Clam, Starfish, Perch, and Bullfrog were examined in the lab.

Particularly during the dissections, the form and functions of organs related to the organisms’

Digestive, Excretory, Respiratory, Circulatory, and Reproductive Systems were identified and

analyzed. Then following the completion of the dissections, components of all the organisms’

bodily systems were compared and contrasted. This was to see how the form and function of the

bodily systems examined are capable of varying amongst the different organisms and their

taxonomical classifications. In addition it showed that while organisms may share the same

kingdom or domain, their further separations by taxonomical units could result in them sharing a

variety of similarities and differences.

Introduction

Taxonomy is the science that defines and organizes organisms based upon certain shared

characteristics (Ensminger, 2014). Ranging from broad to narrow the taxonomical units consist

of Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. During the

experimental process of dissection, the five organisms that were analyzed were compared and

contrasted in regards to their taxonomical classification by phylum and class.

The first organism that was analyzed through dissection was the Earthworm, who is part

of the Phylum Annelida. Common characteristics found in the Earthworm’s Phylum is the

presence of a segmented body, which contains an organ in each part. The second organism, the

Clam belongs in Phylum Mollusca, which typically contains a mantle composed of epidermal

cells. Next the third organism that was dissected, the Starfish is part of the phylum

Echinodermata. A common characteristics found within this phylum include the presence of
radially symmetrical bodies and the presence of a water vascular system. The final two

organisms, the Perch and Bullfrog both belong to the same phylum, Phylum Chordata. The

Perch, which belongs to the Class Osteichthyes, shows common characteristics like a bony

endoskeleton and the presence of modified gill arches. Then the last organism, the Bullfrog

belongs to the Class Amphibia. Unique features of this organisms’ class involves how their

respiratory system is aided by diffusion through their highly vascularized skin.

During the dissection process, the internal and external components that help create the

organism’s Digestive, Excretory, Respiratory, Circulatory, and Reproductive Systems were

identified and analyzed. These components of each of the organisms bodily systems were then

compared and contrasted amongst on another to see similarities and differences in their

anatomical and physiological aspects. This demonstrated how the organisms’ bodily systems are

capable of being alike and unlike despite their different taxonomical classifications. Thus

showing how the organisms are capable of being more similar than one may believe despite the

differences in their narrower taxonomical classifications.

Materials and Methods

Prior to beginning any of the dissections, the necessary materials including a dissecting

tray, dissecting pins, scalpel, tongs, scissors, gloves, and goggles need to be collected and set up

at the laboratory station. Once the station is set up, the organism that is being dissected can be

obtained and put on the dissecting tray. The first of the five dissections done during this

experimental process was the dissection of the Earthworm, who belongs to Phylum Annelida.

Before the organism was cut into, the external features such as the segmented body and Clitellum

need to be examined. Once the Clitellum is identified, then the anterior, posterior, dorsal, and

ventral sides of the organism can be identified as well. The anterior portion of the organism is the
shorter end above the Clitellum, whereas the posterior portion is located below the Clitellum and

holds a majority of the organism’s intestines. In addition, the dorsal side of the Earthworm shows

the Dorsal Vein, which is a long, purple structure that runs along the entire length of the

organism’s body. Then on the opposite side, the ventral side there’s a series of bristle like

structures.

Once all of the external features of the Earthworm are identified, the Earthworm will be

pinned down to the dissection tray. One pin will be placed around the 3rd segment from the top,

and another pin will be placed slightly belong the Clitellum. After the organism is pinned down,

use the tip of the scalpel to lightly cut either left or right of the Dorsal Vein. The organism only

needs to be cut down slightly below the Clitellum, because the main structure past that point is

only the intestines. After cutting, use the end of the probe to break excess connective tissue from

the walls so the sides of the worm can be pinned down. Upon completion of the worm being

pinned down, internal features of the Earthworm such as the pharynx and hearts should be

identified and examined. After all necessary features are examined, properly dispose of the

Earthworm and clean up.

1) Clitellum 3) Mouth

2) Posterior Portion 4)Seminal Vesicles

 Following the dissection of the Earthworm, the next organism to be dissected is the Clam,

who belongs to Phylum Mollusca. The same materials needed for the Earthworm should be

gathered and set up prior to collecting the organism and beginning the dissection process.

External Features of the Clam such as the Umbo should be identified prior to cutting into the

organisms. Once all external features are identified, the gap located in the front of the clam

between the shells should be identified. This will be the location where you insert the blade to

begin the process of cutting the abductor muscle to open on each side of the clam. When the gap

is located, insert the knife and cut away from your body towards the Umbo to break open the

shell of the Clam. When this process is complete, then identify all of the gills, foot, and visceral

muscles. These are all organs that will be cut off of the clam to allow additional internal features

of the organism like the stomach and mantle to be identified and analyzed. Upon the completion

of identifying all the external features, dispose of the organism and clean up the laboratory

station.

1) Mantle

2) Foot

3) Parallel Line

4) Gonads
 Following the dissection of the Clam, the Starfish, who belongs to Phylum

Echinodermata, is the next organism to be dissected. Prior to beginning the dissection process,

once again gather all of the needed supplies, including a dissecting tray, dissecting pins, scalpel,

scissors, tongs, gloves, and goggles. Once the station is set up, collect the Starfish and proceed to

identify all of the Starfish’s external features. This includes body structures such as the mouth,

anus, arms, and tubed feet. After identifying all of the external features, select the straightest arm

for dissection and cut off the tip. Then proceed to cut up the leg towards the center, around the

Madreoporite, and back down the same leg on the opposing side. Once the cutting is completed,

then identify and remove the digestive glands and stomach in the Starfish to allow the internal

features of the starfish to further be examined. After the internal features are identified and

analyzed proceed to clean up by properly disposing of the Starfish and cleaning lab materials that

were utilized.

1) Ring Canal 4) Immovable

Spines

2) Ampulla 5) Ambulacral

Plates

3) Ampulla 6) Radial Canal

(Under Plates)
 Then next organism to be dissected during the research process is the Perch, who belongs

to Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata, and Class Osteichthyes. Prior to the dissection,

collect the same materials there were utilized in the prior three dissections of the Earthworm,

Clam, and Starfish. After the materials are collected and set up, obtain the perch for dissection.

Before any cutting into the organism begins, identify external features of the perch such as the

anterior, anal, and posterior dorsal fins. Then after all the external features are identified, begin

the dissection by carefully cutting from the posterior to anterior underside of the fish. Cut above

the top of the gills and move forward in attempt to make the fish flat. Once this is completed,

scalp from the back to front of the vertebrae. Next proceed to strip the bones with scissors and

remove any excess skin. After this remove the operculum to reveal the gills and identify the

internal structures of the fish like the stomach and gonads. Once this process is completed then

dispose of the fish and clean up as necessary.

1) Pelvic Fin 5) Anterior Dorsal Fin

2) Swim Bladder 6) Heart

3) Posterior Dorsal Fin 7) Caudal Fin

4) Notochord 8) Pyloric Ceca

 The final organism of the five to be dissected is the bullfrog, which belongs to Phylum

Chordata and Class Amphibia. Prior to beginning the dissection collect all the same material

used in the prior dissections, including the dissecting tray, dissecting pin, scissors, scalpel,

goggles, tongs, and gloves. Then collect the bullfrog and proceed to identify the bullfrog’s

external features before cutting into the organism. Once the external features are identified,

proceed to use a scalpel to cut vertically along the stomach to the next of the frog. During this

step, make sure to cut deep enough that the muscle of the frog is broken in the process. At the

neck of the frog, then cut horizontally on each side to create flaps, which can be pinned back to

view the organisms internal features. Then at the bottom of the stomach where the initial cut was

made, proceed to cut horizontally again to make additional flaps for the viewing of the internal

features, which can also be pinned down. Next, identify all of the organism’s internal features

like the heart and intestines. Upon the completion of the identification process, clean up the

material and dispose of the organism as directed.

1) Lungs

2) Intestine

3) Kidney
 Results

Despite the organisms that were dissected belonging to different phylum and classes, they

all have a form of a Digestive, Excretory, Respiratory, Circulatory, and Reproductive Systems in

their bodies. Through the dissections, the external and internal features that help create the form

and function of these systems were analyzed for each organism. Then preceding the dissections

the components in relationship to the bodily systems were then compared and contrasted

amongst the different organisms and their different taxonomical classifications.

Beginning with the Earthworm, who part of the Annelida Phylum, its digestive and

excretory systems are composed of eight main organs. These organs include a mouth, pharynx,

esophagus, crop, gizzard, intestine, nephridium, and anus to aid the digestion and excretion of

the food within the Earthworm. In addition, Earthworms have a closed circulatory system, which

contains closed blood vessels and a heart help transport blood. The Earthworms’ Circulatory

System is mainly comprised of the Dorsal Blood Vessel, Ventral Blood Vessel, and a series of

five lateral “hearts” or aortic arches connecting the two together. In addition the Earthworm does

not contain any lungs to aid respiration. Instead, the Earthworms use the process of diffusion to

breath through their skin, which requires their skin to be kept moist so they do not suffocate.

Then in regards to their reproductive systems, earthworms are considered to be hermaphroditic,

meaning they contain both sperm and egg cells. During reproduction they participate in an

external form for reproduction where they attach at the clitellum for the copulation and transfer

of sperm to occur.

Following the Earthworm, the Clam, who belongs to Phylum Mollusca, has a digestive

and excretory system that contains five main organs. The organs involved in the digestion and

excretion of material in the Clam, involve a mouth, stomach, digestive glans, intestine, and anus.
Unlike the Earthworm, the Clam has an open circulatory system where blood pools and bathes

the Clam’s organs directly without the presence of any sort of veins. The circulatory system of

the Clam does include a heart with a few large vessels, but no small vessels or capillaries are

present within the system. In addition, the type fertilization in clams is dependent upon whether

they are fresh water or marine clams. Fresh water clams participate in form of internal

fertilization of where sperm enters through the incurrent siphon and exist through the excurrent

siphon. Then for the marine clams, they participate in a form of external fertilization where the

sperm or eggs may empty in the mantle cavity, but exit through the excurrent siphon.

The next organism, the Starfish, which is part of the Phylum Echinodermata, has a

complete digestive system, that contains a mouth, esophagus, digestive glands (pyloric ceca),

stomach, and anus. A unique component of its excretory system is that the Starfish does not have

any kidneys to filter out waste. Instead the Starfish uses the process of diffusion to filter waste

from its body. In addition as echinoderms, their respiratory systems involves a Water Vascular

System where they intake oxygen through their tube feet while also expelling carbon dioxide

through the same process. Unlike the Earthworm, Starfish are considered to be dioecious,

meaning the male and female reproductive organs are on separate organisms. When it comes to

the reproductive process, Starfish are capable of reproducing sexually and asexually. Sexual

Reproduction for Starfish occur when their release their sperm or egg in the water in hopes of it

coming in contact with another organism’s sperm or egg (Rice, 2002). Then asexually

reproduction occurs through fragmentation, when an arm and part of the central disc separate

from the original, parent Starfish.

The organism of the fourth dissection, the Perch, who is part of the phylum Chordata, has

a digestive and excretory system with 10 main organs. These organs include the mouth, pharynx,
esophagus, liver, stomach, intestine, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and anus. In addition, unlike the

other organisms analyzed through dissection, the perch has a dorsal hollow nerve cord and

internal bony. In addition the perch does have a closed circulatory system that involves a single

circuit as well as a lateral line system to detect vibrations in water. The respiratory system in the

Perch is aided by the process of countercurrent exchange, which results in water being inhaled

through the Perch’s mouth and filtered through the gills to help it maintain oxygen. When it

comes to the Perches reproductive systems, they also reproduce sexually through external

fertilization. This is the result of the female perch release it’s eggs in the water to be fertilized by

the male perches sperm.

Finally the Bullfrog, which belongs to the Phylum Chordata, has a digestive and

excretory system composed of nine main organs. The organs involved in the digestion and

excretion in the bullfrog include the mouth, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas,

small intestine, large intestine, and anus. In addition, the Bullfrog does have a closed circulatory

system to aid the transfer of blood throughout its body. Even though they do have lungs involved

in their respiratory system, the moist, highly vascularized skin of the bullfrog is involved as

much as the lungs when it comes to respiration in the bullfrog. In addition, the bullfrog does

participate in a form of internal fertilization on land, but they lay their eggs in the water. Also a

unique factor about bullfrogs is that they are poikilothermic, meaning their body temperature is

dependent upon the environment that they are in.

The completed analysis in regards to the similarities and differences amongst the bodily

systems of the five different organisms that were dissected, result in the acceptance of our

hypothesis. This is because the collected data shows how the despite the organisms having
different taxonomical classification they are capable of having similarities in the form and

function of the bodily systems that were analyzed in the research process.

Discussion

Through the dissections of the Earthworm, Clam, Starfish, Perch, and Bullfrog the form

and function of multiple components of their bodily systems were analyzed. Components mainly

regarding the organism’s Digestive, Excretory, Circulatory, Respiratory, and Reproductive

Systems were compared and contrasted. This allowed connections to be made amongst the

similarities and differences amongst the different organism’s taxonomical classifications.

Despite the Digestive and Excretory systems being common amongst the five organisms

that were dissected, the anatomical and physiological aspects of the systems varied amongst the

different organisms. For example, the earthworm was the only organism that was examined

during the dissections that did not have a stomach a part of their digestive system. Instead the

earthworm was the only organism to that had a gizzard to break down and store its food. In

addition, the Starfish was the only organism that was dissected that did not have either a small or

large intestine as part of its digestive and excretory systems. The Starfish instead had the

presence of digestive glands as a varying component. Then only three out of the five organisms,

the Clam, Perch, and Bullfrog had kidneys as part of their excretory systems to filter waste. The

Earthworm had a nephridium instead of kidneys to aid its body in expelling excess waste. Then

the final organism, the Starfish used the process of diffusion for waste removal from its body.

The next bodily systems that were compared and contrasted amongst the five organisms

were their Respiratory and Circulatory Systems. Together these systems go hand in hand when it

comes to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout an organism’s body. The respiratory

system is more commonly associated with how an organism breathes. For example, amongst the
organisms that were dissected, only two of the organisms, the Perch and Bullfrog had lungs as

part of their respiratory system. Both the Earthworm and Perch were also capable of breathing

through their skin, which requires their skin to be kept moist at all times. Then the following

system, the circulatory systems contributes to blood flow throughout an organism’s body. Out of

the five organisms that were analyzed, only two, the Starfish and Clam had open circulatory

systems while all the other organisms had closed circulatory systems. Then Countercurrent

exchange only played a part in the Perch’s respiratory system. In addition, four of the organisms

only had one heart to serve as a pump in their circulatory systems. The Earthworm was the only

organism to have multiple “hearts” to aid the flow of blood through their body.

The final bodily system that was analyzed amongst all of the organisms was the

reproductive system, which involves the reproduction of organisms. Out of the organisms that

were examined, only the Earthworm was considered to be hermaphroditic, meaning it contains

both male and female reproductive organs. All of the other organisms were dioecious, meaning

their male and female reproductive organs are on separate individuals. In addition, the Starfish

was the only organism out of the five, who is capable of reproducing asexually through

fragmentation. Yet the Starfish like the other organisms is also capable of reproducing sexually

as well. The sexual reproduction can be done either externally or internally. Most of the

organism, including the Clam, Starfish, and Perch reproduce externally by releasing either their

sperm or egg into the water in hopes that it will come in contact with another organism’s sperm

or egg. The Earthworm also reproduces externally through attaching at the Clitellum to for the

transfer of sperm to take place. Then finally the bullfrog reproduces internally on land, but

releases it eggs in the water.

Conclusion
 Despite how the Earthworm, Clam, Starfish, Perch, and Bullfrog may belong to the same

kingdom and domain, their separation by phylum and class shows how they can be alike and

different on both anatomical and physiological aspects. The similarities and differences amongst

their bodily systems could be the result of a variety of different factors such as the environment

they inhibit. Yet nevertheless, despite how they may be classified differently in regards to the

narrower taxonomical units, all of the organisms analyzed through dissection are capable of

sharing a variety of similarities and differences amongst their form and functions.

Resources

Ensminger, P. A. (2014). Taxonomy. In K. L. Lerner & B. W. Lerner (Eds.), The Gale

Encyclopedia of Science (5th ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. Retrieved from

https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2644032210/SC

IC?u=txshracd2679&xid=4edba2d2

Rice, Judy. "Arms control. (The Natural Moment)." Natural History, Apr. 2002, p. 98+. Science

in

Context, libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A84545908/SCI

C?u=txshracd2679&xid=c1aa03b5. Accessed 28 Nov. 2017.