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Cricket Disection

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to explore the inner workings of a common insect. By disection, it will be possible to map out the various body parts of a household cricket.

Equipment: For this experiment, a basic disection kit will be require, or makeshift items. Used were a scaple, scissors, forceps, a prode, pen and paper, a cricket and a magnifying glass.

Procedure: The first step is to analyze the exterior of the cricket. With forceps and a magnifying glass, label all the parts on the dorsal side (back side). Repeat with the ventral side (front side) of the cricket. The next step is to remove the appendages (legs). Remove the largest leg, and make an incision across the ovular portion of the leg. Label all the parts in the interior of the leg. The next incision will be a cut starting right below the head, across the ventral side, down the lenght of the body. Label all unique features of the specimen.

Observations:

Conclusion: The disection has shown many of the inner features of the cricket. The most interesting, was the location of the gills in relation to the joints. One possible reason for this, is that the gills will work better when the legs are moving the joints faster. So as the cricket increases activity, it's oxygen absorbtion will increase.


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