Comparative Structure Lab

Danny Gosain
SBI 3U
Ms. Tran
Dec 12, 2011

PART A: COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
1. Forelimb Structures
Table 1: Comparative Anatomy – Forelimb Components
Forelimb Component
Scapula
Attachment
point for wing
and the body.

Humerus
Wing bone
that forms the
shoulder

Radius
Wing bone that
supports the
wing membrane

Ulna
Supports
radius and
Humerus.

Carpals
ConnectsMetacarpals
to Radius.

Wolf

Stabilizes the
body

Attachment
point for leg
and the body

Helps in
bending
down

Helps in
jumping

Turtle

Connects the
arm to the
body

Helps to float
and move
under water

Helps to apply
force for
walking and
running
Bends in a way
that helps in
walking on land

Supports
the radius

Sea Lion

Connects the
arm to the
body

Helpsto float
and move on
land

Supports
Humerus

Elephant

Connects
other bones
to the body
Connects the
body to the
other bones

Supports all
the other
bones
Joins all the
other bones
that supports
movement
Forms the
shoulder

Helps in walking

Supports
the radius
and helps to
float
Helps in
walking

Animal Name

Bat

Mole

Humans

Connects the
arm to thebody

Metacarpals
Several long
bones which
help in
grabbing
objects
Keeps the
phalanges
steady

Phalanges
Helps
Metacarpals
to grab
objects

Helps
Metacarpals
to move
around
Helps
Metacarpals
to move.

Holding on to
objects and
food

Grabbing
objects such
as food

Holding on to
objects and
food

Grabbing
objects such
as food

Supports
MetacarpalsSupports
Phalanges

Flat base to
stand

To grab
their prey

Movement of
the hands

Supports
the radius

Supports
Metacarpals

Supports
Phalanges to
dig

Helps in
digging

Keeps the arm
steady and
strong

Helps in
movement
of the
elbow

Supports
Metacarpals

Helps in
holding on to
objects

Helps in
grabbing
objects

Table 2: Comparative Anatomy – Comparisonof forelimb components and humans
Name of the Animal
Bat

Humans
Comparison
 Scapula has the same function. 
 Humerus in both the mammals
forms the shoulder.
 Radius and Carpals support the

Contrast
In humans, Ulna plays a major
role in movement of the arm
whereas in Bats, Ulna has a
minor role in the movement.

forelimb in both the mammals.
 Metacarpals and Phalanges
havesame functions.
 Metacarpals and Phalanges
have same function, to grab
and hold on to objects

Wolf

Turtle

 Scapula has the same function.
 Carpals, Metacarpals and
Phalanges have same function.

Sea Lion

 Scapula connects the body to
the arm.
 Carpals, Metacarpals and
Phalanges have same function.

Elephant

 Scapula connects the body to
the other components.Mole

 Scapula has a similar function,
to connect the other parts to
the body.
 Carpals in both the mammals
support Metacarpals.

 All the components in wolves
help in jumping and walking
whereas in humans, the
components help in hand
related activities.
 Humerus helps to walk on land
 Radius and Ulna help to swim
under water.
 These differ from the functions
they perform inhumans.
 Humerus helps to walk on land
 Radius and Ulna help to swim
under water.
 These differ from the functions
they perform in humans.
 In elephants; Humerus, Radius
and Ulna help to support the
body. Carpals, Metacarpals and
Phalanges help to stand.
 These differ from the
component function in
Humans
 In moles; Humerus, Radius,
Ulna, Metacarpals and
Phalanges havefunctions that
relate to digging.
 This does not compare
accurately to humans.

Table 3: Comparative Anatomy – Forelimb Functions
Name of
Animal
Bat

Name of
Forelimb
Wing

Type of environment the
species dwells
Air

Function of Forelimb




Wolf

Paw

Forests (Red Wolves) and
Cold places (Grey wolves)





Bat’s forelimb has been modified into a
wing for...