Sea Turtle Anatomy:

Sea Turtle Anatomy:  

Respiratory System: 

All sea turtles have lungs. Sea turtles can survive for a lot of time before needing to resurface. They often inflate their lungs to act as floating devices while they lie in the water. The larynx is connected to the glottis (small opening behind the tongue that acts as a barrier between the pharynx and the larynx)and leads to the trachea tube, that splits into two separate tubes called bronchial tubes. Each bronchus leads into a lung. The lungs are directly underneath of the turtle's carapace. Some sea turtles have the ability to adjust the rate of their breathing to help them recover faster after diving and to help them become more efficient in regards to their oxygen supply. Turtles do not use their diaphragm to breathe. Some sea turtles are able to breathe through their cloacas in a process where they intake the water through it and move it into air bladders where they filter the oxygen and then they remove the deoxygenated water back out. The respiratory system helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the intake of air into the body. The respiratory system interacts with the circulatory system because the heart needs a certain amount of oxygen to continue beating, and pumping blood to all the other systems, and organs, keeping the sea turtle alive.

• Components

• Air comes in through their nose which passes on to their larynx
• The larynx is connected to the glottis (small opening behind the tongue that acts as a barrier between the pharynx and the larynx)and leads to the trachea tube.

• The trachea splits into two separate tubes called bronchial tubes.

• Each bronchus leads into a lung and the lungs are directly underneath of the turtle's carapace. Where the alveoli transfer the oxygen and red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs and carry it to the parts of the body where it is needed.
• Some sea turtles are able to breathe through their cloacas in a process where they intake the water through it and move it into air bladders where they filter the oxygen and then they remove the deoxygenated water back out.

• Homeostasis and relations to systems

• The respiratory system helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the intake of air into the body.
• The respiratory system interacts with the circulatory system because the heart needs a certain amount of oxygen to continue beating, and pumping blood to all the other systems, and organs, keeping the sea turtle alive.

• Fun Facts

• Sea turtles can survive for a lot of time before needing to resurface.
• They often inflate their lungs to act as floating devices while they lie in the water.
• Turtles do not use their diaphragm to breathe.

[pic 1]

Digestive System: 

Turtles are not strictly herbivores. They also feed on jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates. This meat consumption allows the sea turtles to have a strong digestive system.They swallow their food with very little chewing. They sometimes even swallow their food whole. The salivary glands of the turtle help to soften and break down the food to make swallowing possible. The mouth of a turtle is a cavity (hole) found inside its skull that captures and process food.The esophagus starts at the back of the tongue and is a tubular shaped digestive structure connected to the stomach. The esophagus transports food to the stomach and ejects excess water. The stomach starts the chemical and physical digestion of food and is located in the left side of the animal. The small intestines break down food. They are specialized to absorb amino acids, carbohydrates, sugar, water, fatty acids, and minerals. The large intestine (colon) commonly recovers water. The gallbladder transfers the bile(a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion) produced in the liver to the small intestine in the digestive process. The pancreas delivers digestive enzymes to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine immediately after the stomach). The digestive system maintains homeostasis by maintaining the correct enzyme ratio. The digestive system  works with the excretory system. While the digestive system collects and removes undigested solids, the excretory system filters compounds from the bloodstream and collects them in urine.

• Components

• Sea turtles swallow their food with very little chewing.
• The salivary glands of the turtle help to soften and break down the food to make swallowing possible.
• The esophagus starts at the back of the tongue and is a tubular shaped digestive structure connected to the stomach.

• The esophagus transports food to the stomach and ejects excess water.

• The stomach starts the chemical and physical digestion of food and is located in the left side of the animal.
• The small intestines break down food.

• They are specialized to absorb amino acids, carbohydrates, sugar, water, fatty acids, and minerals.

• The large intestine (colon) commonly recovers water.
• The gallbladder transfers the bile(a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion) produced in the liver to the small intestine in the digestive process.
• The pancreas delivers digestive enzymes to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine immediately after the stomach).

• Homeostasis and relations to systems

• The digestive system maintains homeostasis by maintaining the correct enzyme ratio.
• The digestive system works with the excretory system. While the digestive system collects and removes undigested solids, the excretory system filters compounds from the bloodstream and collects them in urine.

[pic 2]

Nervous System:

The nervous system of the sea turtle is composed of the brain, nerves and spinal cord. In addition, specialized cells called neurons are the signal transmitters throughout the system. The brain is the center of a sea turtle's nervous system. Although the brain of turtles is more advanced than an amphibian's, it is primitive in regards to birds and mammals. The forebrain extends from the nose to the posterior cerebrum. The spinal cord of the turtle goes down it's back and is protected by the carapace vertebrae. The midbrain goes from the eyes to the posterior aspects of the optic lobes. Only the optic and olfactory nerves are still attached to the thread. Through the spinal cord the information is carried to and from the brain. Turtles have all the same senses as most organisms but the sense of smell is more advanced. Sea turtles can even smell underwater. In order to maintain homeostasis, the nervous system controls and regulates other parts of the body. The nervous system works pretty much with all the other system in order to keep them working properly and sending directions on what to do.

...