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 top are very thin / Accommodate organs and 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.