The prey tissue is partially digested outside of the body, then the starfish brings its stomach back inside into its 10 digestive glands to finish feeding. This means the starfish extends its stomach out of its mouth and over the digestible parts of its prey. Several species have specialized feeding behaviors including eversion of their stomachs. There are more than 1600 species of starfish alive today, and they have an important role in the community structure of the ocean floor.įeeding: Starfish are mostly predators and feed on invertebrates such as mussels and clams that live on the ocean floor. Starfish belong to the class Asteroidea, derived from the Greek words “aster” (a star) and “eidos“ (form, likeness, appearance). Echinoderms are found in nearly all marine habitats and constitute a major proportion of the biomass. They are a part of the phylum Echinodermata and are related to sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Here are some facts you may or may not have known about starfish.Ĭlassification: Starfish are also referred to as sea stars because of their star-shaped appearance. We were very fortunate to have him share some of his knowledge and passion for these unique animals. Pawson has years of experience working with marine life and has dedicated much of his work to one of the most well-known echinoderms, the starfish. David Pawson, a Senior Research Scientist and Curator of Echinoderms at the Smithsonian Institution. One of my favorite presentations was from Dr. Image: Smithsonian Science Education Center David Pawson interacts with attendees of SSEATs observing samples of echinoderms collected by Smithsonian scientists. These educators were participants in the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), a weeklong event that focuses on the professional development of science educators.ĭr. Freezing or refrigeration is not necessary and may damage fragile tissues.June brought educators from around the country to Washington, DC, to experience Smithsonian research facilities, interact with scientists, and engage in activities to bring back to their classroom.Specimen will slowly dry out or become contaminated in zip-lock bags add a teaspoon of Specimen Holding Fluid to retain moisture.Store specimen in heavy-duty, zip-lock bags to minimize drying between dissections.For best results, observe the following storage procedures: Once the original package is opened, use specimen within one month. In sealed, original packaging, our preserved specimens are guaranteed to remain fully preserved and free of decay for 12 months from the date of purchase. The formaldehyde is then displaced first with water and finally with a glycol solution to produce a moist, low-fume specimen which will not decay over time. Note: Specimens are initially preserved with a formaldehyde solution, the best animal tissue fixative. Take your zoology or life science studies even further with our Clam Dissection Kit, or browse our diverse selection of dissection kits for other excellent options! Not quite ready to add this starfish dissection kit to your shopping cart and checkout? Take a look at the customer reviews below for more product details and to discover why this kit has a near 5-star rating! Home Science Tools recommends using disposable gloves for all dissections. Use the step-by-step starfish dissection guide to closely examine this amazing echinoderm and invertebrate! As students dissect, they can learn about a starfish's digestive system, reproductive system, circulatory system, and more. Whether homeschooling or teaching in a public or private school setting, integrating a starfish dissection lab into your lesson plans provides a memorable and eye-opening learning experience for elementary, middle school, and high school students. This starfish dissection kit comes with a preserved starfish dissection specimen, plus all of the dissection tools you need for an engaging and interactive dissection experience: a full-color photographic starfish dissection guide, dissecting scissors, a teasing needle, and a styrofoam dissecting tray. Get everything you need for dissecting a starfish, also known as a sea star!
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