Experiment |
photos |
We had the aim of dissecting a fish to observe the internal structure, in particular the swim bladder and how its structure and function has influenced the construction of submarines.
Materials:
Method: 1. We used a kitchen knife to open up the trout along the spinal cord as we found the skin extremely tough to pierce. 2. We then opened up the inside of the stomach with a scalpel as that part was much softer. 3. We ran the scalpel along the outside of the head. 4. We then peeled back the raw flesh to reveal the intact internal structures beneath. 5. We located the swim bladder, with its distinctive structure as a small, gas-filled balloon. Conclusion: Through dissecting the trout, we saw that the swim bladder was a gas-filled organ with a thin, translucent membrane. This thus explains how the swim bladder contributes to the buoyancy of the fish, allowing it to stay at its current water depth without swimming. We also saw that the swim bladder was supported by an extremely dense blood supply, showing that the swim bladder requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to carry out its function. |