Lesson 6: Pulmonary Physiology in Fish

We've looked at dissection gas exchange systems in humans, now let's look at fish.

Again, you need to make sure you have the correct apparatus and that it's sterilised.

  • Tools need to be sharp in order to cut cleanly.

 

So what steps are required to dissect a fish?

  1. Lay the fish in front of you.
    • the gills are found underneath a bony flap called the operculum
    • gills can be found on both sides of the fish
  2. Remove the gills by carefully pushing back the operculum and cutting them out.
    • the gills are supported by structures called 'gill arches'
    • they can be cut out by cutting through the bone with scissors.

Gills are made up of folds, called gill filaments.

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