BIOLOGY Unit 9-Crayfish Notes
Chelipeds Appearance: Large pincher-claws Location: By the head. Function: Used to grab food.
Carapace Appearance: Hard, red shell Location: Outside body. Function: Protect delicate internal organs.
Swimmerets Appearance: Tiny feather-like legs Location: Belly-side Function: Help with swimming + grasping during sex.
Uropods & Telson Appearance: Fan-like tail Location: Rear end Function: Propel during swimming.
Mouth Appearance: Tiny lips Location: Uhh…. The head (duh)…. Function: Uhh… eating…
Maxillipeds Appearance: Tiny claws Location: Under head and Chelipeds. Function: Bring food to mouth.
Encephalon Appearance: Fleshy bit Location: Directly inside head, by eyes. Function: (Brain) Control all other organs + respond.
Green Gland Appearance: Fleshy Bits Location: 1 on each side of head behind eyes Function: Secrete enzymes needed to digest food.
Stomach Appearance: Fleshy Sack Location: In between Green Glands. Function: Grind up food (uses teeth-like structures).
Digestive Gland Appearance: Location: Function:
Heart Appearance: Light brown flap. Location: Behind stomach and digestive glands. Function: Pump + circulate blood across organs.
Antennae Appearance: 2 long stalks Location: Front of head. Function: Sensory reception.
Intestine & Anus Appearance: Skinny tube Location: Leaving stomach, going down back. Function: Absorb nutrients + carry waste out of body.
Gonads Appearance: Location: Function:
Male Parts Appearance: Tiny, bent legs Location: Belly Function: Insert sperm into female
Female Parts Appearance: Swollen hole Location: Belly, in between swimmerets Function: Take in sperm (like vagina)
Gills Appearance: White colored feathers Location: Sides of head, under shell. Function: Remove oxygen out of water for breathing.
--Dissection Notes-- Lay crayfish on its belly. Find carapace behind head. Cut along lines + gently remove carapace. Identify internal + external organs.
External Dorsal:
External Ventral:
Sex: MALE FEMALE
External (Lateral):
Internal (Dorsal):
Deeper Internal (Dorsal):
Internal (Lateral)
Abdomen (Dorsal):