Organism Physiology Paper: The Bottlenose Dolphin

Organism Physiology Paper: The Bottlenose Dolphin

Zachary Godsill

Bio 101

June 8, 2015

Tamu Crisden

Organism Physiology Paper: The Bottlenose Dolphin

There are many types of organisms, ranging from single celled to very complex. Every living thing is an organism. It is commonly believed through the theory of evolution that complex organisms are evolved from simpler organisms over a long period of time. The complex organisms have adaptations particular to their native environments. In the following paper, I will discuss the bottlenose dolphin. I will present a labelled diagram of various organs on the bottlenose dolphin, and discuss the functions and how those organs have evolved for the bottlenose dolphin to become more suited to its environment.

        [pic 1]
        The diagram above labels various organs of the bottlenose dolphin. The noteworthy organs I will discuss are: the blubber (not pictured), the body shape which includes the dorsal fin, flippers, and flukes, and the melon.

        Dolphins are well known for their superior intellect. They are mammalian, water restricted creatures. They cannot survive outside of water. The bottlenose dolphin inhabits every most of the bodies of water on Earth, excluding the frigid temperatures found toward the north and south poles. The dolphin, like any other organism, has adapted over time to become more suited its water only environment. Many of the physiological adaptation allow the dolphin to thrive, along with being one of smartest mammals on the planet.

Blubber

The first adaptation I will discuss is blubber. Blubber is found on many sea bound animals. Dolphins require blubber to manage their body temperature. “Dolphins, like humans, must keep their bodies at a stable temperature in order to function normally (for the Common Bottlenose Dolphin this is approximately 36 to 37 degrees celsius” (“Common Bottlenose Dolphin”, 2015). Blubber is used to help maintain this body temperature. Depending on whether the dolphin is too hot or too cold, the blubber can thin or thicken. When the blubber thins, it insulates less and allows the dolphins body to cool off. When the blubber thickens, it insulates the dolphin’s body better, allowing the dolphin to retain body heat. This is similar to using a thin or thick blanket when a human gets cold. This adaptation is important, and helps the dolphin with climate change affected waters, allowing it to survive by not freezing or heating to death.

Body: Dorsal Fins, Flippers, and Flukes

The second set of organs to discuss comprise the dolphin’s body. The organs include the dorsal fin, flippers, and flukes. Dolphins have what is called a fusiform body shape (“Common Bottlenose Dolphin”, 2015). This shape allows the dolphin to have great speed and control over their bodies while swimming. The dorsal fin and flippers give the dolphin the ability to more acutely control movements in the water, while the flukes help propel the dolphin through the water at high speeds. The contributing factor to these adaptations is the need to hunt and the need to escape predators. The bottlenose dolphin must be quick to catch its prey, and it must also be quick enough to escape predators. Some common predators that dolphins face are sharks, certain species of whales, and humans.