January 12th 2015

Questions
1. Why is it necessary for the trachea to have rings of
cartilage in its walls?
so the rings can prevent from crushing and choking
2. What is the purpose of the hormone thyroxine, which
is produced by the thyroid gland?
its purpose is to control the rate of the metabolic
process in the body and influence physical
development
3. Why do the lungs have a large number of blood
vessels?
the lungs give oxygen to the blood and remove carbon
dioxide
4. Explain what must happen for the lungs to expand,
allowing you to inhale.
the diaphragm must relax for the lungs to expand
5. Why is it necessary to close the opening of a
puncture wound in the chest?
so the blood and oxygen can leave the body

6. What is the purpose of the pericardial sac that

surrounds the heart in mammals?

The purpose of the pericardial sac that surrounds the

heart in mammals is to reduce friction in tissues around
the heart, preventing inflammation which has outer and
inner coats. The outer coat is tough and thickened,
loosely cloaks the heart. The inner coat is double with
one layer closely adherent to the heart.
7. Why do arteries have an interior ring of smooth
muscle?
The arteries have an interior ring of smooth muscle
because the muscle helps move the blood along and
maintain blood pressure. Through peristalsis, the blood
is moved. Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of
muscle.
8. Which arteries sometimes become blocked in a
human and are then "bypassed" by using veins from
the patient's legs?
Cardiac arteries on the heart sometimes become
blocked in a human are then "bypassed" by using veins
from the patient's legs.
9. What are the two major veins of the pig's heart that
return deoxygenated blood from the body?
Anterior and posterior vena cavae are the major veins
of the pig's heart that return deoxygenated blood from
the body.
10.
Why is pulmonary circulation bypassed in the
unborn fetal pig, and how is it bypassed?

The pulmonary circulation bypassed in the unborn fetal

pig because there is no need for the blood to go to the
lungs and "pick up" blood as the fetus is not breathing
in the womb. The fetus' mother is providing all of its
oxygenation needs via umbilical artery.

11.
What are the main functions of the liver in
mammals?
The main functions of the liver in mammals are that it
filters blood that comes from the digestive tract before
moving it on to other areas of the body. It makes
proteins that help maintain the volume of blood. It
stores and processes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
and turn them into glucose. It eliminate harmful by
products of our bodily functions.
12.
What is the stomach muscle that controls the
passage of food into the small intestine?
Lower esophageal sphincter is the stomach muscle that
controls the passage of food into the small intestine.
13.
What is the purpose of the villi and microvilli of
the small intestine?
The purpose of the villi and microvilli of the small
intestine is to increase the surface area in order to
maximize the efficiency of absorption.
14.
What is the primary function of the large
intestine?

The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb

water and electrolytes from digested wastes.
15.
What is the purpose of rugae in the stomach
lining, and what glands are found between them?
The purpose of rugae in the stomach lining is to aid
stomach distension, gradually smoothing out as the
stomach fills. The glands that are found between them
are gastric pits, which opens to the gastric glands.
16.
If a mammal drinks large amounts of saltwater,
what will this do to its urinary output?
If a mammal drinks large amounts of saltwater, it will
try to get rid of the excess salt by excreting excess
water slowly dehydrates itself to death.
17.
Why is there an advantage for female pigs to
have long uterine horns and a small uterine body,
whereas in humans the situation is reversed?
The advantage for female pigs to have long uterine
horns and a small uterine body is so they can have
more babies at one time.
18.
Why is it important for the testes in pigs and
other mammals to completely descend into the
scrotum?
It is important for the testes in pigs and other
mammals to completely descent into the scrotum
because the production of sperm requires a low
temperature than body temperature therefore it is

necessary for the testes to be removed from the

general mass of the body.
19.
Explain the function of the nephrons in the pig
kidneys.
The function of the nephrons in the pig kidneys is to
remove impurities and water in the blood.
20.
What is the unique difference between female
egg production and male sperm production in
mammals?
The difference is that the female egg production is
mainly the ovaries and the male sperm production is
mainly the testicles.