Ten weeks ago, I decided to try a dissection course due to my love of biology and desire to become a vet. I just finished that course, and I’m sad for it to end. I can’t wait for the end of summer when the advanced dissection course starts, so to pass the time, I’ve made this blog rating my dissection classes from best to worst (I loved all of them, and none of them were bad, I’m just talking about which ones I preferred). Notice: if pictures used in this blog are slightly inaccurate, I’ve drawn them myself.
Dissections Ranked
In the table above, I have ranked my ten dissections from best to worst in the categories recommended, complex, and interesting.
Worms: The Least Complex
Worm babies hatch from parent’s mucus balls!
Worms were the number one recommended and the least complex. Why is that? I recommend worms because there are several eye-opening facts about them, they’re easy to find (or buy), and they are simple. Most of a worm is the intestine, making it easy to understand the few body parts and what they do. I think it’s important to understand that, especially for beginners. The worm dissection was one of my most memorable dissection experiences. In conclusion, worms are great for anyone who wants to dissect things because they are simple and easy to understand.
Why Are Sharks Not Recommended?
Do not puncture the liver!
Sharks came in fourth in the categories complex and interesting, but were recommended last. Why? The reason for their poor rank in the category recommended is that they're a mess! If you puncture any organ (especially the liver), then a black goo called the bile duct spills out. It gets everywhere! It even finds its way inside plastic gloves! Even if they’re messy, they make up for that because they’re complex and very interesting. Inside the shark I dissected, I found a developing baby shark. In the shark of my classmates, there were two almost fully developed baby sharks. They were so cute! In short, sharks are impressive and unique, but I wouldn’t recommend them because shark dissection can get very messy.
The Great Grasshopper
Grasshoppers are close to the top in recommended and interesting but low in complexity. That’s because they’re great for dissection because there are lots of cool facts about them. For example, if a grasshopper rubs his/her legs together with another grasshopper’s legs, the bug goes through a stage of changing its body, and eventually turns into a locust. In conclusion, grasshoppers are fascinating but have a simple anatomy.
Squids With Beaks?
I just really like the beak
Squids are ranked high in the category different because they have lots of cool body parts like their beak (yes, squids have beaks) and their ink sac. They’re fifth in recommended and interesting because they’re not as interesting and complicated. Therefore, I don’t recommend them like worms, but I would recommend them over sharks. They’re average!
Clams Got Third In Everything!
Clams got third place in all the categories. They’re recommended because they’re really funny. Watch the video of the clam walking below, it will show you why clams are funny and also demonstrate why they’re interesting! Clams have lots of different body parts compared to normal animals. That’s why I ranked them so high in complexity. They are ranked high in all the categories because they are hilarious, unique, and enjoyable to dissect.
In Conclusion
I think dissection is a worthwhile thing for kids who are into biology or becoming a vet because it gives you a basic understanding of how an animal’s body functions and where each body part belongs. I’d like to thank my dissection teacher Mr. Jonah for making my experience possible and being such a good dissection teacher. If you're interested in looking into this course, then follow the link below.
It was fun seeing the different body parts
If you're interested in more blogs about dissection, then you should read my snake blog!
Thank you for reading all the way down to the bottom!