BIOLOGY PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

Comparison of Vertebrate Limbs

Limbs of various vertebrates are provided: e.g. fish- Tilapia, amphibian-frog reptiles, lizard; bird – domestic fowl (chicken), mammal- rabbit. Their anatomy can be studied.

The following can be noted:

• That all limbs have five sets of bones;
• A single upper bone- the femur in hind limb and the humerus in fore limb
• Two lower limb bones -i.e. the tibia & fibula in the hind limb & ulna & radius in the forelimb.
• Small bones – i.e. ankle (tarsals) and wrist bones (carpals)
• The bones making the foot and hand are metatarsals and metacarpals respectively.
• The bones of toes and of fingers i.e. phalanges
• Observe the various modifications of these bones in the various animals.
• Limbs of different mammals e.g. rabbit, cow, donkey reveal that the anatomy is adapted to mode or type of movement. e.g. the horse has a single digit.
• An outdoor activity to observe various sty les of movement in different mammals can be studied.
• It is noted that some move on tips of toes (donkey) others on the whole leg (rabbit).

Comparison of Wings of bird and insect

• Wings of birds and insects (grasshopper, butterfly or moth) are obtained.
• A hand lens or a dissecting microscope is used to observe the specimens.
• The differences in their anatomy are noted.
• Insect wings are membranous while those of birds are made up of feathers that interlock.

See also:

EVOLUTION

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES TO DEMONSTRATE CONTINUOUS VARIATIONS

GENETIC ENGINEERING

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF GENETICS

MUTATIONS