Grade 11 Biology (SBI 3U1) Name: ______________

Unit: Internal Systems

Lab: Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection Date: _______________

Purpose: By the end of this lab exercise, you should be able to:
a) identify the external features of a fetal pig; and the organs of the digestive, respiratory, and
circulatory systems;
b) compare the structure and functions of the major organs of the digestive, respiratory, and
circulatory systems;
c) compare the structure and function of the organs in a pig to human organs.

Materials:
Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection:
https://www.whitman.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/biology/virtual-pig

Procedures:
1. Visit the link above and work through the following headings: Anatomical References, Sexing your
pig, Digestive system, Circulatory system, Reproductive system, Respiratory system. You are
welcome to visit any of the other headings that interest you, the above is just the minimum.
2. Complete the Analysis Questions below and Label the Internal and External Diagrams in the
provided Google Slides.

Analysis Questions (10 marks – Application)

1. In the fetal pig, the right and left ventricles have the same muscle thickness and thus the same
pumping strength; however, in the adult pig the left ventricle is much thicker and stronger. Explain why
the fetal heart has ventricles of the same size while in the adult, the left ventricle is thicker. (2 marks)

2. What structure prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the heart? Why is
this structure important? What would happen if this structure is damaged? (2 marks)

3. Describe the structure of the trachea. What is the function of

the special ‘ringed’ design of the trachea? What would happen
if the trachea did not have these ringed structures? (2 mark)

4. Describe the structure of the lungs. Would it be correct to

compare the structure of the lungs to that of a sponge? Why or
why not? (2 marks)

5. Do you think the virtual fetal pig dissection is a good model to use in training as opposed to a
hands-on dissection? Be sure to discuss both the educational value and ethics of a virtual dissection
versus a hands-on dissection. (2 marks)

*****Be sure to include an APA format reference list.*****

External Diagram of the fetal pig (8 marks – Knowledge)

Use the diagrams below to help you prepare to properly label biological diagrams with the following
terms. You may label additional parts, but this list is a minimum. Please access the provided Google
Slides to create your labelled diagrams (images and labels are provided for you).

anterior posterior dorsal ventral

umbilical cord nares nipples eyes
Internal Diagram of the fetal pig (12 marks – Knowledge)

Use the diagrams below to help you prepare to properly label biological diagrams with the following
terms. You may label additional parts, but this list is a minimum. Please access the provided Google
Slides to create your labelled diagrams (images and labels are provided for you).

small intestine large intestine esophagus stomach

liver heart gall bladder larynx
trachea lungs diaphragm pancreas