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BIOL212
Majors animal: External anatomy of the shark (matching)
Anatomy | Physiology |
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Eyes | Large, image-forming sight organs with immovable eyelids |
Nostrils | Paired openings on the ventral surface of the head leading to olfactory receptors |
Mouth | Subterminal opening to digestive tract; lined with razor-sharp teeth |
Spiracles | Paired openings on the dorsal surface of the head that function as modified gill slits allowing water to be drawn into the pharynx and across the gills |
External gill slits | Five pairs of openings along the sides of the head that allow the release of water |
Pectoral fins | Steering and braking while swimming and maintenance of dorsal-ventral orientation |
Pelvic fins | Steering while swimming |
Anal fin | Steering while swimming; located near the anus |
Caudal fin | Provides thrust and acts as a rudder while swimming |
Dorsal fins | Steering and maintenance of dorsal-ventral orientation while swimming; located on the dorsal surface |
Abdominal pores | Paired openings near the cloaca; the function of which is unclear |
Lateral lines | Specialized sensory organs that detect vibrations and current disturbances as well as weak electrical fields in the water; used for navigation and prey capture |