The distinct smell of learning permeated the 2nd floor A-side hallway this week while the Marine Ecology classes dissected squid.
The class is currently studying the Phylum Mollusca, which includes clams, oysters, sea snails, octopi, and squids. The class has been learning the anatomies of these various sea creatures over the past few weeks, and is taking the opportunity to study squid anatomy in a hands-on method.
Interesting features of the squids include their beaks, which are used to attack prey. The beaks look exactly like the beak of a bird, and are located within the cluster of the squid’s arms. Another interesting feature of the squids is their ink, which is used to distract predators while the squid escape harm. Senior and artist Becca Gregory said, “It’s more exciting to draw with a toothpick and squid ink than with a normal pen.”
The complete dissection of the squids took two days for the Marine Ecology classes to finish. The first day focused on external features of the squids, and the dissection of the beak and mouth. The second day focused on the removal and study of the squid’s internal organs.
Despite several years dissecting squids, the Marine Ec. classes have never actually seen one of the squid’s brains. The brains are smaller than the other organs around them, which makes them difficult to find.
“A person in my group took the squid’s eyeballs home and saved them,” said senior Kayla Spaar, “that was interesting.” Spaar took Marine Ec. during her sophomore year, and the experience of taking a lab science has helped her in other science classes.
T. Tornatore ‘12