In the natural study of anatomy and physiology, there comes a time where mere theoretical knowledge of anatomical structures becomes inadequate, and thus one turns towards that oft tried method: dissection.

Dissection can be controversial, because of the means in which the subjects might be obtained. It is, however, entirely necessary to further round out one’s studies of  bodily structures according to some. While the typical idea of a dissection is of a frog, in De Soto High School’s Anatomy and Physiology class, teacher Scott Sharp uses an unexpected species for dissection.

“We are dissecting cats,” Sharp said. “The parts on the cats are large and they are very similar to their human equivalent. So we can learn a lot about humans because the cats are large enough to see what’s going on. The cat’s are so much easier to see, and it really comes down to how much you can see and do during the dissection.”

The dissections not only worked wonders for learning,  but they also went over well with the students.

“I love dissecting the cats. It’s a very good way to learn about cat anatomy,” senior Alexandra Knauss said. “Dissecting cats puts a better understanding that you have worked to learn the entire year.”

Another aspect of the dissections that was appreciated by the students is the freedom that the students is the freedom provided to them during the dissections. Unlike most traditional dissections, the dissections are relatively open and exploration is encouraged.

“I think the freedom that Mr. Sharp gives us during the dissection is nice,” junior Jebbie Cavanagh said. “It’s nice because even though there is an outline for everything that we are supposed to do for every class, we are allowed to do whatever we want to find out more about the cat anatomy.”