Pre-Lab: Perch Dissection

What type of animal is a perch and where can it typically be found?

• An amphibian found in saltwater oceans.

• A bony fish found in freshwater lakes and rivers.

• A cartilaginous fish found in freshwater lakes and rivers.

• A reptile found in brackish water.

What is the primary function of the overlapping scales on a perch?

• To provide camouflage for protection from predators.

• To help the fish maintain a constant body temperature.

• To create a streamlined surface for efficient movement through water.

• To absorb nutrients from the surrounding water.

What is the primary function of the nares in a perch?

• Breathing

• Detecting pressure changes

• Sense of smell

• Vision

Which fin is primarily responsible for propulsion in a perch?

• Pectoral fin

• Dorsal fin

• Caudal fin

• Pelvic fin

Where is the first lateral incision made on the fish during dissection?

• Along the dorsal side, from head to tail

• Along the ventral side, from the mouth to the anal fin

• Along the ventral side, between the pelvic fins and down to the anal fin

• From the operculum to the caudal fin

What is the primary function of gill filaments in a bony fish?

• To support the gill arch

• To trap particles from the water

• To allow oxygen from the water to pass into the blood

• To force water through the gills

What structure, when observed during dissection, indicates that a perch is female?

• Swim bladder

• Gill arch

• Ovary

• Digestive cecum

Which organ in a perch supplies digestive enzymes and hormones to regulate metabolic processes?

• Gall bladder

• Swim bladder

• Liver

• Stomach