Squid Dissection!

On Friday, December 7, our Biology class made some calamari! Just kidding, but on the other hand, we did get to dissect a squid! This was our class' 2nd dissection, and after dissecting the squids, we got to learn more about both the internal and external anatomies of the squid. Before doing this dissection, I usually thought of squid as a delicious seafood delicacy (especially calamari), but after completing this dissection, it was a cool sight to see the actual insides of a squid. Before this lab, we learned about the Phylum Molluska on Thursday. There are 3 classes within the Phylum Molluska: Class Gastropoda, Class Bivalvia, and Class Cephalopoda. The squid is part of the Class Cephalopoda. After learning more about this delicious seafood, I couldn't wait to delve into this dissection. I started this dissection by observing the squid's external anatomy first. I looked at the external parts of the squid, including the funnel, the tentacles and arms, the mantle, the fin, the mouth and the beak. The squid was really slimy, and it didn't have the most pleasant smell either. After observing the squid's external anatomy, it was time to cut this calamari open. I made the incision by using the scissors to cut open the squid from the side of its body. After cutting it open, I used  pins to spread it out so I could get a better view at the internal anatomy. I got a good view of all the internal parts, like the ink sac, stomach, anus, gills, and visceral mass. After opening up and spreading the the squid, I cut off its mouth so I could get a closer look at its beak. The beak overall wasn't very big. After observing the internal parts, me and my partner decided for fun to try and remove the eye, which ended up in disaster. This dissection was a fun and enriching experience since I got to learn more about the squid's anatomies more in depth. It was quite exciting to be able to dissect some calamar- I mean, squid. Speaking of calamari, I can't wait till the next time I have some!

             External Anatomy Questions

1) My squid had 6 arms and 2 tentacles.

2) The purpose of the arms and tentacles differ since both do different tasks. Since the suctions cups are located on the tentacles, they're used to latch onto prey and other surfaces, while the arms are used to move quickly.

3) The 2 arrows pointing down is the direction which the water comes out of the funnel. The squid will move the opposite direction of the arrows. 

4) Two external features that are adaptions for the squid's predatory life are as follows"
1. The suction cups on the tentacles are used to grab prey and latch on to surfaces.
2. The beak is used to pick away at their prey so that it's easier to digest.

5) Two traits that squids share with other mollusks are:
1) Bilateral Symmetry
2) Visceral Mass

Internal Anatomy Questions

1) The squid has one pair of gills (2 gills). The arrow in the picture points to one of them.

2) The ink sac is emptied into the water jet so that the squid can defend itself from its predators. Here is a zoomed in ink sac. 

3) The function of the pen is to support the mantle and help keep the squid steady while swimming.  Here is picture of my fellow classmates squid's pen, since I was unable to pull mine out. 

4) I think the squid excretes its waste through the anus. Here is a zoom in picture of the anus.