Dissection Of The Mink

774 Words2 Pages

COMPREHENSIVE DISSECTION OF THE MINK:
Comprehensive Dissection of the Mink: The Digestive System
The American Mink (Mustela Vison) is a small, short haired animal belonging to the Mustelidae family. Much similar to a ferret in appearance the mink has short legs, short hair, a long tail, and a long sleek body with a long neck. It also has a small face, with small features, such as ears, a mouth, a nose and a pair of eyes. This report is consisted of a comprehensive commentary about the differences in the respiratory system between the mink and a human.
In my last report on the mink’s external features in comparison to any human body, although there were clear differences, I was able to find many similarities between the two organisms who seemed very different at first sight. Clearly in this research and lab report about the respiratory system, similarities between humans and minks are not surprising.
Indeed, amongst the many disparities between humans and minks, their respiratory systems are very similar for they are both mammals. The metabolic rate is much greater in mammals than any other class of animals, which means the demand for oxygen is greater. Humans and Minks are both endothermic, so they require a more potent respiratory system. Similar to humans the lungs of minks contain millions of alveoli. Alveoli are tiny sacs that are packed together in clusters as if they were grapes. The tiny sacs or alveoli, allows for a greater surface area for the exchange of gases. Another similarity between humans and minks is the air passage. The first stage in air passage is inhalation which is done through the mouth and/or nose. The air then goes past the pharynx to the larynx, through the glottis (opening for the vocal chords), in...

... middle of paper ...

...ther reach the lugs or the exterior of the body.
Students and researchers can learn a lot from observing the mink; unexpectedly I was able to find many similarities between the mink and a human. Humans and Minks are very close in class, which explains their similarities in anatomy. Indeed although these two organisms have a lot in common there are major differences amongst these similarities. The similarities are due to the fact that both humans and the mink are mammals. The differences are due to the differences in environment, habits, size etc... One example is the fact that minks and humans both have lugs of similar shape but different lobes. Each of these similarities and/or differences benefit both the human and the mink, in their own unique way, with each structure having its own function. Overall the mink is a very complex animal and so is an individual.

More about Dissection Of The Mink

Open Document