Clam Dissection Questions

1. Give the kingdom, phylum, and class for the clam.


2. Describe the body of bivalves.

3. How do bivalves move?

4. Why are they called bivalves?

5. Is their digestive tract complete or incomplete?  Explain your answer.


6. Do bivalves show cephalization?  Explain your answer.


7. What are siphons & what is their purpose?


8. How can you distinguish a mussel from a clam?


9. Adults are usually sessile, but the larva or _________________ is free-swimming.

10. Are bivalves protostomes or deuterostomes?

11. Their body cavity is called the _____________ cavity.

12. Body organs make up the ___________ mass and are protected by the _____________ which secretes the ___________.

13. Is circulation open or closed?

14. Give several examples of bivalves.

Lab Questions:
1. What is the oldest part of a clam's shell called and how can it be located?


2. What do the rings on the clam's shell indicate?

3. Name the clam's siphons.

4. What holds the two shells together?

5. What muscles open & close the clam?

6. Describe the inside lining of the shell.

7. What is the function of the tooth-like projections at the dorsal edge of the clam's valves?

8. Where is the mantle located in the clam?  What is its function?


9. Describe the clam's foot.


10. What is the mantle cavity?


11. How do clams breathe?

12. What helps direct water over the gills?

13. Where are the palps found and what is their function?


14. Describe the movement of food from the current siphon through the digestive system of the clam.



15. Where is the clam's heart located?


16. What are the parts of the clam's nervous system?


17. Why are clam's referred to as "filter feeders"?


18. Label the internal structures of the clam and draw arrows showing the pathway of food as it travels to the clam's stomach: