Practical Task: Kidney Dissection

Aim:
To develop a better understanding of the excretory system by dissecting a kidney from a model
animal.

Materials:
 Dissecting Tray
 Newspaper
 Dissection Kit- tweezers/ scalp
 Scissors
 Disposable gloves
 Kidney
 Waste disposal container

Procedures:
Part A
1. Put on safety gear (disposable gloves & safety glasses) and ensure that long hair is tied
up.
2. Collect newspaper from the front table and cover your working area with the newspaper.
3. Collect a dissecting tray and dissecting kit and place them on your working station.
4. Read through the discussion questions to ensure that you collect all of the required
information.
5. Raise your hand to indicate to your teacher that you are ready to receive a kidney.
6. Place your whole kidney on the dissecting tray and examine it. Look for any tubes
entering or leaving the kidney. Identify three tubes: the ureter, renal artery and renal vein.
7. In the results section, draw a scientific diagram of the external structure of the kidney.
Label the ureter, renal artery and renal vein (or if they are no vessels present, label the
openings where they would enter the kidney).
8. Using a ruler, measure the dimensions (length and width) of the kidney without touching
the kidney with the ruler. Include these measurements on your diagram.
Part B
9. Use the scalpel to cut the kidney in half lengthwise, starting
at the side that contains the ureter. You should be able to
open the kidney and view two halves that are mirror images
of each other.
10. With aid of the diagrams on this page, identify the
renal cortex, renal pelvis and medulla of the kidney.
11. Note the colour and texture of the three different
areas.
12. In the results section, draw a scientific diagram of
the cut surface of the kidney. Label the renal cortex, renal
pelvis and medulla of the kidney, as well as any other
structures that you are able to identify.
Drawing:

Discussion:
In this lab, we dissected a kidney. The kidney is a red-ish bean-shaped organ, and it is found in
the abdominal cavity just above the waist behind the liver. Its main functions are to remove
excess water & nitrogenous waste, and regulate the amount of water we need to maintain in our
body. The kidney helps us produce urine to excrete. This process happens through our 2,000,000
nephrons found in our body. The nephron, filters solutes, reabsorbs ions, removes toxins, among
many other things. This lab expanded our knowledge on the functions of the kidney and helped
us to understand the structure of the kidney better. We also saw where the nephrons are located
and a piece of how they worked by pouring hydrogen peroxide on them.
Reflection:
Our kidneys help us in many ways such as removing excess water and nitrogenous waste. A real-
life example of this happening would be anytime you pee, every time you pee is a result of the
kidneys in your body working.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this lab taught us the structure of the kidney.