White Rat Dissection -1-

Gloucester High School

Biology SBI3U
White Rat Dissection

Submitted by
March 8, 2017
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Purpose:
To learn about the anatomy of the White Rat and compare/contrast the White Rat’s anatomy to
the Human body.

Materials:
- Preserved rat - T Pins
- Dissecting tray - Disposable apron
- Dissecting scissors - Goggles
- Scalpel - Disposable gloves

Method:
Refer to the dissection lab handout.

Observations:
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Discussion:

1. ​What was the sex of your rat? How do you know?

The rat used in the dissection was a male because unlike a female rat, it had a scrotum (as shown
in the picture below). The rat also had no nipples because only female rats require nipples to feed
their offsprings.

2. ​Why would the left ventricle contain more muscle than the right ventricle of the heart?
The right ventricle has only one purpose: to pump blood to the lungs so it can get oxygenated.
Since the blood vessels of the lungs have low resistance, the blood going there doesn't need to be
under a lot of pressure to get through. Since a great amount of pressure is not required, the right
walls of the ventricle do not need to be very muscular. The left ventricle receives the oxygenated
blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body. There are millions of vessels that the
left ventricle has to pump blood through and some can have very high resistance. This requires
the blood in the left ventricle to be under very high pressure to get through, leading to the walls
of the left ventricle being very muscular.

3. ​What is the function of the spleen?

The spleen acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are
recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. If the spleen detects
potentially dangerous bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms in the blood it, along with the
lymph nodes, creates white blood cells called lymphocytes, which act as defenders against
invaders.

4. ​How do the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems interact with each other?

The human body consists of many different systems, all having their own unique job to perform.
However, in order to get tasks done, the systems need to work as a team and interact with each
other. The respiratory, circulatory and digestive system all have different function but need to
interact with each other to get important tasks done. The main function of the digestive system is
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to break down food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body. The main function of
the respiratory system is to supply the body with oxygen, which provides energy to cells, and to
remove carbon dioxide from the blood stream. The main function of the circulatory system is to
move blood and lymph through the body.

The respiratory and circulatory system interact with each other to transport oxygen to the body.
The respiratory system takes in oxygen from the atmosphere and moves that oxygen into the
bloodstream. The circulatory system then carries the oxygen to all the cells in the body, through
blood circulation. The circulatory system also picks up carbon dioxide waste, from the body,
which it returns to the lungs. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood (circulatory system) into
the lungs (respiratory system) and it is then exhaled into the atmosphere.

The digestive and circulatory system work together to convert food into energy for the body. The
digestive system is responsible for breaking food down into smaller molecules and move it
through the esophagus into the stomach and into the intestine. Through absorption, nutrients in
the small intestine move into the bloodstream (circulatory system). The circulatory system is
then responsible for transporting the nutrients around the body and to the heart for use as energy
and other functions. ​The digestive toxins are also discharged from the body with the help of
circulatory system that transports them to kidneys.

The digestive and respiratory systems depend upon each other to perform their functions. ​The
digestive tract is dependent upon the respiratory system, because your digestive tract functions
by using muscular contractions to break up food and move it along the tract. Smooth muscle in
the stomach churns food into a liquid, and contractions of the intestine move food through the
system. These muscles depend upon oxygen in order to function, without oxygen, the digestive
tract would stop working. The respiratory tract wouldn't be able to function without the products
of digestion. While the process of exhalation doesn't require muscular contraction, the
respiratory muscles contract, including the diaphragm, to inhale. Muscles need fuel in order to
contract, and the fuel they use is primarily in the form of carbohydrate and fat, which is available
only because of the efforts of the digestive system.
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References

Escamilla, T (December 3, 2010). ​Ho​ w the respiratory digestive and circulatory system work
together​. ​Retrieved on March 8, 2017 from:
https://prezi.com/rvepyzvzc5w1/how-the-respiratorydigestive-and-circulatory-system-work-toget
her/

Mcgraw Hill Education (2017). ​How systems work together in the human body.​ Retrieved on
March 8, 2017 from:
https://www.mheducation.ca/web_resources/sch/SL10_sample_unit1_topic1_4.pdf

Smith, C (November 16, 2012). ​Anatomy and Physiology: The Relationships of the Respiratory
System. R​ etrieved on March 8, 2017 from:
http://info.visiblebody.com/bid/243853/anatomy-and-physiology-the-relationships-of-the-respira
tory-system