======Rat Dissection======


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**Alternative titles:** Exploring Mammalian Anatomy with a Rat Model
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  *Follow instructions provided in the links below.



====Links==== 
Rat Dissection || When the Cat's Away [EDU] - Silvergrass Institute: 
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Rat dissection at the Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg - 
University of Johannesburg YouTube Channel: 
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📄 Mammal (Rat) Dissection - LibreTexts Biology: [[https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Northeast_Wisconsin_Technical_College/General_Biology_Laboratory_Manual/Laboratory_14%3A_Vertebrates/14.03%3A_Mammal_(Rat)_Dissection]]\\

📄Virtual Rat Dissection - Biology Corner: [[https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/rat_dissection.html]]\\


====Variations====
  * Compare the rat’s anatomy with that of other vertebrates such as frogs or fetal pigs.
  * Create labeled diagrams of each organ system.
  * Perform a functional comparison between rat organ systems and human anatomy.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear gloves and a lab coat throughout the dissection.
  * Handle scalpels and scissors carefully to avoid injury.
  * Respect the specimen as it was once a living animal.
  * Dispose of specimens and waste materials according to lab protocols.
  * Clean and disinfect all tools, trays, and surfaces after use.
  * Wash hands thoroughly at the end of the lab.




====Questions to Consider====
  * How does the skin of a frog differ from the skin of a rat? (Frogs have permeable, moist skin for respiration, while rats have fur-covered skin for insulation and protection.)
  * Frogs and rats are both vertebrates. What does this tell you about their evolutionary relationship? (They share a common ancestor and have homologous structures despite differences.)
  * How do the limbs of a frog compare to those of a rat? (Frogs have long hind limbs adapted for jumping, while rats have limbs adapted for running and climbing.)
  * Why is a four-chambered heart more efficient than a three-chambered heart? (It completely separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, improving oxygen delivery.)
  * How do mammalian lungs differ from amphibian lungs? (Mammalian lungs have greater surface area and complexity for higher oxygen demand.)
  * How does the rat’s digestive tract reflect its diet compared to a frog’s? (The rat’s longer, more complex digestive tract supports a varied omnivorous diet.)
  * What are three homologous structures in the frog and rat? (Examples: vertebral column, forelimbs, heart chambers—showing shared ancestry.)
  * What adaptations allow the frog to live an amphibious lifestyle? (Moist skin for gas exchange, strong hind limbs for swimming and jumping.)
  * What adaptations make the rat suited to terrestrial life? (Fur for insulation, efficient lungs, four-chambered heart.)
  * What are some unique characteristics of mammals? (Hair/fur, mammary glands, live birth in most species, four-chambered heart.)