Physiology Laboratory Activity

Comparative Bone Anatomy

Part A: The Upper Limb The wing of the chicken contains several bones. The wing enables the chicken to fly. Besides bone, there are several other tissue types on the wing. As you proceed with this lab, be sure to keep all dissected materials (tissue) together. Do not throw any tissues away until you are ready to clean up.
A.

Place the chicken wing in the dissecting tray.

B. Remove the skin carefully. C. Identify the fatty skin. Fat is the yellowish tissue found in small clumps. D. Separate the muscles from each other. Dissect out a blood vessel and a nerve. Nerves are usually found between muscles and bones and they are white and about the diameter of a pencil lead.
E.

Look for the ligaments and the tendons. A ligament is a tough white tissue that holds the bones together. A tendon is a tough white tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
F.

G. Remove the muscle tissue from the bone. Look at the joints.
H.

Complete and drawing form by doing the following tasks: Draw the complete bone structure of the wing. Please label the radius, ulna, humerus, metacarpals, & phalanges.
1.

2.

Complete the comments section: i.

ii.

Describe all the major tissue types found in the wing, Describe all sub varieties you can identify.

iii.

Decide which human appendage to which the chicken wing is analogous, and compare and contrast the two structures.

Physiology Laboratory Activity

Comparative Bone Anatomy

Part B: The Lower Limb The human skeleton is not remarkably different from the skeletons of the other vertebrates. Humans are mammals, and mammalian skeletal structures are very much alike; at least, they all follow a basic plan with modifications. The fact that humans walk erect calls for some structural changes to enable them to maintain balance and carry weight on the inferior appendages. The curvatures of the vertebral column become modified and the pelvis shortens. The forelimbs or arms, freed from their weight-carrying function, become much more flexible, and the hand is adapted for many uses. The legs continue their function of locomotion and weight-bearing and the foot is specialized also for these functions. In this portion of the lab you will be examining a cow femur and comparing it to that of a human. A. Observe the exterior of the femur. Note the cartilage at the ends. Draw a scale diagram of the femur on a new drawing form. Label the following: a. Epiphysis (proximal and distal) b. Diaphysis c. Periosteum
B.

Draw a scale diagram of a longitudinal cross section of the femur. You may use the same drawing form as for B if you have room. Label the following: a. Epiphysis (proximal and distal) b. Diaphysis c. Periosteum d. Spongy bone region e. Medullary cavity f. Compact bone region g. Marrow
C.

D. Observe and diagram a cross section femur disk. Draw it as actual size. Label the following: a. Periosteum b. Endosteum c. Medullary cavity d. Marrow e. Spongy or compact bone region (depending on what you have) E. Complete the comments section.

Lab Questions. Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Although you dont have to rewrite the question, your ANSWERS need to be in complete sentences. Part A 1. What type of muscle did you find in the chicken wing? 2. Is the muscle in long sheets, or in wrapped bundles? 3. Describe any covering you may have noticed on the muscle. 4. Describe any blood vessels you found. 5. What is the purpose of the blood vessel in the wing? 6. What type of joint is formed by the bones of the wing? (Refer to color pages for types) Part B 7. Describe the outside surface of the beef femur. 8. Why is it necessary for the ends of bones to be smooth? 9. What is the function of the cartilage at the ends of the bone? 10. Which type of cell is made in the red marrow of bones? 11. What is the function of the small holes in the bone surface? (Hint: what needs to go in and out?) 12. Explain the difference in locations and structure of spongy and compact bone and relate this to the function.

Compare and contrast this bone to the analogous human femur. Include length, width, and mass in your comparison. Use your own words!!! b. Describe the function of all labeled parts
a.

Lab Questions. Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Although you dont have to rewrite the question, your ANSWERS need to be in complete sentences. Part A 1. What type of muscle did you find in the chicken wing? 2. Is the muscle in long sheets, or in wrapped bundles? 3. Describe any covering you may have noticed on the muscle. 4. Describe any blood vessels you found. 5. What is the purpose of the blood vessel in the wing? 6. What type of joint is formed by the bones of the wing? (Refer to color pages for types) Part B 7. 8. Describe the outside surface of the beef femur. Why is it necessary for the ends of bones to be smooth?

9. What is the function of the cartilage at the ends of the bone? 10. Which type of cell is made in the red marrow of bones? 11. What is the function of the small holes in the bone surface? (Hint: what needs to go in and out?) 12. Explain the difference in locations and structure of spongy and compact bone and relate this to the function.