Chicken Heart Lab

Problem:
In what ways is a chicken heart similar to or different from a mammalian heart (human heart)

Discussion Questions (Answer in complete sentences) Use the 4th piece of chicken heart.
1. Locate the bottom (apex) of the heart and feel it. Compare it with the top end of the heart
(base). Which feels firmer? Explain. (Hint: the part of the heart that moves blood the
furthest distance)

The apex of the heart consist of the left and right atrium while the base
consist of the left and right ventricle. As what I have felt, the base is much
firmer than the apex because the heart walls are thicker around the bottom
chambers. The reason is the base is consist of the left ventricle that pumps
the blood further around the body, and against higher pressure. That's why
it is larger and thicker than the chambers in the apex.

2. What are the 2 chambers called that are located at the top of the heart?

The 2 chambers that are located at the top of the heart is called right and left
atrium.

3. Locate the blood vessels on the outside outer wall of the heart. What is the function of
these vessels?

Coronary Arteries and cardiac veins provide the pathway for blood through
the heart wall.

Two coronary arteries supply blood to the wall of the heart:

1. Left Coronary Artery
2. Right Coronary Artery

The left coronary artery originates on the left side of the aorta. It has three
major branches:
 1. Anterior Interventricular artery lies in the anterior Interventricular sulcus.
2. Circumflex artery extends around the coronary sulcus on the left to the
posterior surface of the heart.
3. Left Marginal artery extends inferiorly along the lateral wall of the left
ventricle from the circumflex artery.

The branches of the left coronary artery supply much of the anterior wall of
the heart and most of the left ventricle.

The right coronary artery originates on the right side if the aorta. It extends
around the coronary sulcus on the right to the posterior surface of the
heart.

1. Posterior interventricular artery lies in the posterior interventricular

sulcus.
2. Right marginal artery extends inferiorly along the lateral wall of the right
ventricle.

The right coronary artery and its branches supply most of the wall of the
right ventricle.

4. Where do the atria pump blood in the body?

The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it
to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve while the left
atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left
ventricle through the mitral valve. 

5. Where do the ventricles pump blood in the body?

The right ventricle pumps the oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the

pulmonary valve while the left ventricle pumps the oxygen-rich blood
through the aortic valve out to the rest of the body.
6. Using your notes, complete the flow chart (on pg.4) that lists the path of blood through the
body.
Observations: - Include labels and use a pencil only; sketch, do not color.
Observation # 1 (Outside of heart)

Observation # 2 (Inside of heart)

 Discussion: The Heart of the Matter
Comparative Anatomy of the Chicken Heart

Like the human heart, the chicken heart has 4 chambers - a right atrium and ventricle, which
receives (oxygenated/deoxygenated) blood from the body and sends it to lungs and a left atrium
and ventricle, which receives (oxygenated/deoxygenated) blood from the lungs and sends it to
the body.
Birds have a much higher metabolic rate than humans. The average body temperature of a
chicken is 41-45 degrees C, compared to a human's average body temperature of 37 degrees C.
The pulse rate of a chicken can reach as high as 400 beats/min. All of these factors place a great
demand on the chicken's heart, which has to work (more/less) than a human heart. The chicken's
heart is adapted to handle the increased stress placed on it by its high metabolic rate. The size of
the heart in relation to body mass is larger in birds (about 0.8%) than in mammals (about 0.6%).
The inside walls of the atria and ventricles are much smoother than those of the human. And the
valves, though present, are much simpler. The smoother walls and simpler valves of the bird's
heart, reduces friction as the blood is pumped through; less friction means (more or less) work.
The ventricles of the bird heart have (more/less) muscle mass and (more/less) chamber space
than those of a human. Externally, the ventricles appear more slender and pointed than in a
human heart.

Reference:
Lab-Chicken Heart Dissection
https://www.woodstown.org/cms/lib/NJ01001783/Centricity/Domain/228/Chicken%20Heart
%20Dissection%20Lab.pdf. Accessed on October 18, 2020.
*Have your documentation as you do the activity and attach it to this laboratory sheet. This will
be included in the contents of your portfolio.
DOCUMENTATION