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Grasshopper Lab

Objectives:
- to observe the external anatomy of a grasshopper.
- to determine the sex of a grasshopper using external anatomy.
- to collect statistical data on grasshopper length
Procedure:
External Anatomy:
- Look for the presence of an ovipositor (female) and record the sex of
your grasshopper into Table 1.
- Measure your grasshopper's length in cm from the most anterior point (antennae) to the most
posterior (end of abdomen) then record in Table 1.
- Straighten the right jumping leg and measure the complete length in cm, then record in Table
1.
- Draw and label the head, thorax, abdomen, legs, and wings, anterior, posterior, dorsal,
& ventral in Figure 1.
- Find the tympanum on the grasshopper. Note the locations. Draw and label
in Figure 2.
- Look at the abdomen, see if you can find the spiracles on each segment. Draw
and label in Figure 2 also.
- Look at the head. Find and label the following parts : 3 simple eyes (ocelli), compound
eyes, antennae, mouth parts in Figure 3.
Data:
(leave a 1/2 page for each figure and table)
Table 1: Data Table of Grasshopper Information
Length of grasshopper |
cm |
Length of right jumping leg |
cm |
Sex of Grasshopper |
(male or female) |
Figure 1: External anatomy diagram of the grasshopper. Lateral View.
Label the head, thorax, abdomen, legs, wings, anterior, posterior, dorsal, & ventral.
Figure 2: Diagram of the Grasshopper tympanum.
Figure 3: Diagram of head. Label simple eyes, compound eyes, antennae, mouth
parts
Figure 4: Double Stem and Leaf of Grasshopper Body and Leg Length in cm
Table 2: Summary Data Table of Grasshopper Lengths
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Grasshopper Length in cm |
Length of Right leg in cm |
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Figure 5: Stacked Box Plot of Grasshopper Body Length and Right Leg Length
Analysis/Results:
- What is the function of the tympanum? Where is it located?
- Which sex has an ovipositor? What is its function?
- What type of mouth parts do grasshoppers have? How about Metamorphosis?
- Describe the function of the spiracles. Why don't grasshoppers have gills or lungs?
- What was the median size in cm of our grasshoppers? Was there a wide variety in sizes? Explain.
- Is there a mathematical relationship between leg length and body length? Look at your Box
Plot.
Conclusion: 2-3 sentences on what you
learned
grasshopper link
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