Class Shared Data
External Anatomy of Frog
Structure/Feature
Observations
Adaptive Value
Dorsal Color
Green/brown/spotted
Camouflage with algae or
swamp water
Ventral Color
Beige / Light color
Camouflage to blend with
water reflection of sunlight
when seen from below
Location of eyes
Top of head
Frog can keep body below
water and still be on lookout
for predators
Location of nostrils
Top sides of head
Frog can breathe with only
the top of the head above
water
Shape of head
Top of head
Less resistance when
swimming – streamlined
Shape of tympanic membrane
(ear)
Arrow head shape; wedge
Round like a drum to catch
vibrations – on top to hear
predators even when body is
under water
Vomerine Teeth
Sharp, angle toward the back
of the mouth (on the roof of
the mouth)
Point toward back to keep
prey from pushing back out of
mouth
Hind legs – form, length
Long, large muscles in upper
portion
Strong and long for jumping
away from predators
Feet - form
Webbed toes – rear feet are
like flippers
Large surface area for
swimming and paddling in
water
This table summarizes all group observations and the class inferences of the external frog features and
about their value as adaptations for the frog’s survival.
Internal Anatomy – Thoracic Cavity of Frog
Structure/Feature
Observations
Adaptive Value
Ribs
Short – don’t reach to the
front of the body – just off
spine in back
Keeps body lighter and allows
the legs to compress into the
chest upon landing.
Lungs
2 – brown sac-like structures
Allows animal to breathe
outside of the water.
Pericardial membrane
See-through and thin
Protects heart and other
organs around it from friction
when it beats
Number of heart chambers
3 chambers
Some separation of oxygen
poor and oxygen rich blood
allowing it the frog to have
more energy
This table summarizes all group observations and the class inferences of the thoracic cavity structures of
the frog and about their value as adaptations for the frog’s survival.
Internal Anatomy – Abdominal Cavity of Frog
Structure/Feature
Observations
Adaptive Value
Shape and texture of stomach
Hard, brown, and lumpy,
thinner at each end
Break down insects and other
prey – thinner at ends to keep
undigested food in until
broken down
Size of liver
Large with about 3 lobes
Lots of fluids to detoxify for
the body.
Length of small intestine
Very long – takes up most of
space in cavity – coiled
More surface area to absorb
nutrients from food
Body Cavity
Wide open – muscle layers on
Accommodate organs and
top are very thin
eggs in female
Villi
Folds in lining
More surface area for
absorption
Number of blood vessels in
the mesentery
Lots – into and out of small
intestine
Blood transports absorbed
nutrients to the rest of the
body
Number of eggs (in pregnant
female)
Tons
Small organism – the more
there are the more likely
some will survive – many
predators.
This table summarizes all group observations and the class inferences of the abdominal cavity structures
of the frog and about their value as adaptations for the frog’s survival.