How Have Liver and Kidney Sizes Evolved Across Different Vertebrates?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evolutionary differences in liver and kidney sizes across various vertebrates, specifically focusing on comparative anatomy in a course context. Participants explore the implications of organ size in relation to function and anatomy, particularly in the context of a dataset involving a dogfish shark, mudpuppy, and cat.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a shark's liver is large due to its role in buoyancy by storing oil, suggesting a functional relationship between organ size and environmental adaptation.
  • Another participant proposes that sharks might have comparatively smaller kidneys because they can exchange waste with the surrounding water, indicating a potential evolutionary adaptation.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about how organ weight data can relate to nephron anatomy and osmoregulation, highlighting a gap in understanding the implications of the data.
  • There is a mention of the stress involved in managing multiple subjects for the assignment, indicating the complexity of the task at hand.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not present a consensus, as participants express different views on the implications of organ sizes and their evolutionary significance. Some ideas are speculative and not universally accepted.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their data, particularly regarding the relationship between organ weight and nephron anatomy, as well as the need for more specific focus in their analyses.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and researchers interested in comparative vertebrate anatomy, evolutionary biology, and organ function may find this discussion relevant.

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Liver and Kidney Evolution! Please Help!

I'm writing several papers for a comparative vertebrate anatomy course, in which, among other things, I will discuss the reasons for anatomical differences in the liver and kidney of various organisms.

I have the class data set for the weights of the liver and kidney of a dogfish shark, mudpuppy (necturus) and cat. (As well as their body weight to do an organ weight vs. body weight analysis)

A shark's liver aids in buoyancy by storing oil, this much is apparent to me. So that guy has a big liver... as for the others.. and kidneys... I am at a loss as to what to say about comparative organ sizes. The only data we have is weight. I'm not sure how this can speak to nephron anatomy if it does at all (for osmoregulation and the like).

Any help is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
 
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You might want to focus your attention on one paper (and one subject) at a time - it might be more productive.
 


I would rather only write on one subject, indeed. However for the assignment there are 6 subjects and thus 6 papers due. Each paper is a separate entity. So in essence I am focusing on one paper, and one subject, at a time ... but still doing all of them at the same time ... stressful haha.

So, any thoughts on either livers or kidneys?
 


You could expect sharks to have comparatively smaller kidneys because they can exchange waste with the surrounding water through the skin (which is why they smell like pee).
 

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