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Salmon Shark Dissection
Kodiak Middle School
Friday, October 18, 2019

Click on the chain below to write in your questions about salmon sharks for our "expert" to read to make sure they are answered during the dissection.

Student Questions about Salmon Sharks

Salmon shark pre-dissection questions:

·     What does the streamlined shape of a shark’s body enable it to do?

·     Each pair of fins serves a special purpose. Why are shark fins shaped the way they are- what is the advantage to the shark? What is the purpose of each pair of fins:
- Dorsal fin-
- Pectoral fins-
- Second dorsal fin-
- Pelvic fins-
- Anal fins-
- Caudal (tail) fin-

·     What are sharks’ skeletons made out of? What is the advantage of this?

·     Every species of shark has a different size and shape to their teeth. What can we tell about a shark by the shape of its teeth?

·     Explain why so many fossilized shark teeth have been found on the seafloor.

·     When a great white shark bites into their prey, it appears like their jaws are popping out of their mouth. Explain how the jaws of the great white are attached to their skull to explain this unique feeding mechanism.

·     Explain the function of gills and gill slits.

·     Sharks’ vertebral columns are made of disks that are strung like beads on the sharks’ spinal cord. What does this arrangement help the shark do?

·     Describe a similarity between the vertebral disks of sharks and the rings of a tree.

·     Explain how sharks get oxygen without lungs.

·     Sharks have a simple two-chambered heart. Explain the importance of having one-way valves in each chamber.

·     Name two similarities between a
shark and an airplane. Use the
terms, “ramjet respiration” in one of
your answers.


·     Salmon sharks, unlike the majority of sharks, are considered a “hot-blooded” shark or “lamnid.” Explain how this is possible, in your answer use the terms, “rete mirable.”

·     When in earth’s history was “the Golden Age of Sharks?” Why was it called this?

·     Many shark species are extremely long lived. How long do salmon sharks live?

·     Sharks have a spiral valve intestine. Explain why the size and shape of the spiral valve is important in its function.

·     Explain how a shark’s oil-rich liver helps keep them afloat.

·     Sharks have lots of small sensory pore scattered over their heads. Explain how these pores, called “ampullae of Lorenzini,” helps sharks sense bioelectricity (their sixth sense).



·     Where are sharks taste buds located (hint: there are two places)?

·     Explain how the shark’s olfactory (smell) organs work.

·     What is a “nictitating membrane” and what does it do for sharks?

·     Do salmon sharks have a lateral line system? If so, how does this system give the shark tactile clues about its environment?

·     How fast can salmon sharks swim?

·     Why do sharks have zigzag bands of tail muscles? How does this orientation of muscles help the shark swim?

·     Salmon sharks are considered opportunistic predators. What do they eat (make a list)?

·     Are salmon sharks viviparous, oviparous, or ovoviviparous? What does this mean for their reproduction?

·     What are dermal denticles? How is this an advantage to sharks (hint: think about sharks swimming)?

·     Explain how “countershading” is a form of camouflage for sharks.

·     Do salmon sharks stay in Alaska all year? If not, where else do they go?