Lab Practice: Dissecting Lungs

The Victoria School

MYP Year 3

September 11th-13th 2012

LAB PRACTICE: DISSECTING LUNGS

Criterion Evaluated: E

ATL: Thinking. Applying knowledge and concepts,including logical progression of arguments.

The purpose of this activity is:

QUESTIONS A (to solve BEFORE the lab practice)

1Complete the following table with the functions and common names of the structures of the human respiratory system (Pages 112-113, Kent, 2000):

Part / Common name / Function
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi (singular bronchus)
Bronchioles
Alveoli

2In a living animal, what body movements draw air into the lungs?

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3In a living animal, what body movements force air out of the lungs?

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

QUESTIONS B (to solve AFTER the lab practice)

4What structure makes the windpipe stay open, but able to bend?

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

5The lungs are: hollow bags  spongy  other ……………………………………..

6What does the lung tissue look like where you cut into it?

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

7What happens when you put this tissue into water?

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

8What are the lungs like when full of air?

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

PROCEDURE (during the lab practice)

Safety:

Take care with sharp dissecting tools and report any cuts to your teacher.
Do not plat with any of the materials you are given.
Do not breathe directly into the lungs.
At the end of the practical, disinfect the work area and wash your hands thoroughly using soap and hot water.

aCheck the look, feel and colour of the lungs.

bIdentify the trachea and explore the texture of its wall.

cExplore the tubes that enter the lungs (bronchi) and see how they divide.

dTry to identify large blood vessels.

eIdentify any membrane surrounding the lungs (pleura).

fInflate the lungs (following your teacher’s instructions) and observe how they behave.

gCut a piece of lung tissue and observe the cut surface and how the tissue behaves when you drop it into water.

hCut the lungs and try to identify the bronchioles (tubes in the inside of the lungs)

Laboratory guide adaptedfrom: Nuffield Foundation / Biosciences Federation 2009, taken from

THE HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: PARTS