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Animal Exchange System

It is important to understand how to dissect an animal heart. The larger the heart that is being dissected, the easier it is to identify the individual features. It is common to use a sheep's heart.

Apparatus

Apparatus

  • Blades - must be sharp to ensure clean cuts are made and to reduce slippage.
  • Gloves.
  • Disinfectant.
Guidelines

Guidelines

  • Gloves should be worn throughout dissection.
  • Hands must be washed using disinfectant after dissection.
  • Cuts should be made very carefully to avoid injury and allow you to see all the features.
Identifying the blood vessels

Identifying the blood vessels

  • Identifying the main blood vessels can be difficult because hearts destined for the food industry are likely to be slashed.
    • Slashing allows meat inspectors to detect diseases or parasites.
  • The coronary artery and the aorta are usually the easiest to see.
Opening the heart

Opening the heart

  • The heart can be opened by slicing carefully from the aorta around the outside edge.
  • Opening the heart allows you to view the ventricular walls and other internal structures.
  • The valves can also be identified.
Ventricular walls

Ventricular walls

  • Comparing the right and left ventricles shows that the left ventricular wall is much thicker than the right ventricle.
  • This is a key feature of the heart.
Jump to other topics
1

Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

1.4

Cell Specialisation

1.5

Tissue Structure & Function

1.6

Working with Waves

1.7

Waves in Communication

2

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3

Science Investigation Skills

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.6

Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7

Urinary System

4.8

Cell Transport

4.9

Thermal Physics

4.10

Materials

4.11

Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

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