Frog Systems
Name
Per
Structure & Function
Use the Color-plate reading in the frog packet to complete the following table.
Digestive System
Organ or Part
Describe the structure and function if possible in full sentences
Maxillary teeth
These are the tiny rows of teeth on upper and lower jaws. They help hold onto
prey.
Vomerine teeth
These are the short “fanglike” teeth in the roof of the mouth. Also to hold onto
prey.
Nostrils
Pharynx
External: the openings to allow air in and out.
Internal: Connects to external nostrils. Note, when breathing, the air comes into
the roof of the mouth.
Muscular organ used for swallowing.
Esophagus
Muscular tube to move food from pharynx to stomach.
Stomach
Food storage and some protein digestion.
Pancreas
Common bile
duct
Pancreas produces digestive enzymes (proteases that break down protein, lipases
that break down lipids / fats, carbolases that break down carbohydrate sugars,
etc… These digestive juices move through the pancreatic duct … through the
common bile duct and into the small intestine where they will do their work.
Carries bile from liver & gall bladder through the pancreas (where it picks up
digestive enzymes and deliver all into the small intestine.
Gall bladder
Stores excess bile.
Liver
Three lobes / largest gland in body / Receives digested nutrients from small
intestine and distributes to the body as needed. Also produces bile and detoxifies
the blood.
Digestion occurs here: primarily enzymatic (chemical), but also mechanical. The
small intestine then absorbs the digested food into the bloodstream.
Small intestine
Large intestine
Absorption of excess water from fecal material.
spleen
Breaks down old red blood cells (RBC) and aids in the production of new ones.
Respiratory System
Organ or
Part
Describe the structure and function if possible in full sentences
Internal &
External
Nares
Nostrils: Openings in the upper jaw (mandible) that lead to the inside of the
mouth. Allows frog to breath when mouth is closed.
Oral Cavity
Properly called the buccal cavity. This is the inside of the mouth.
Glottis
Small slit-like opening at the back of the buccal cavity that opens to allow air
to enter and leave the lungs. Closes to hold breath when swimming and when
swallowing to keep water and food out.
Larynx
Connected to the Glottis, this is the chamber that contains vocal chords and
leads to the lungs. Used to conduct air to the lungs and as a voice box so the
frog can communicate.
Bronchi
2 Bronchi lead away from the larynx carrying air to each lung. Each bronchus
leads into a lung and then divides into smaller and smaller ducts, ending with
alveoli which are grape like structures where gases are exchanged between the
air and the bloodstream.
Lungs: Contain alveoli. Function is to exchange gasses between the air inside
the alveoli and the tiny blood vessels (called capillaries) that are embedded
within the alveoli tissue.
Lungs
Alveoli
Capillaries
Abdominal
muscles
The tiny airsacs in the lungs. They fill with air when the frog inhales. Oxygen
then diffuses through their thin lining into the capillaries / blood. Carbon
Dioxide (waste gas) diffuses in the opposite direction from the blood to the
air. This CO2 rich blood is then exhaled and the process repeated.
Tiny blood vessels that are embedded within tissues. This is how the tissues
(cells) actually exchange gasses, water, sugar, and other materials with the
blood. They are found in all parts of the body, but we discussed how they
surround and are part of the alveoli.
Stomach muscles. Used for movement.