7 Body Systems of the wolf
Skeletal system
The Arctic wolf’s body is built for long-distance travel and endurance. Their bones need to be strong as it allows them to push off more easily, especially through deep snow. They also require a strong bone structure because it gives them the power to take down large prey such as caribou.
Wolves are running mammals so this means that their skeleton is structured accordingly. They have long limbs and a deep chest to accommodate large lungs. The bones inside the toes are short but the bones of the legs are long. Due to the wolf having considerably long legs, they are able to take longer strides, which make chasing prey much easier. The skull is another important part of the skeletal system because it protects the brain. The skull at first is made of many bones, though over time they join together and develop. On the other hand, the lower jaw of a wolf is just one bone, the dentary. This unique feature is different to in other mammals as the lower jaw of other mammals contain additional bones. This bone is the hardest, strongest and densest bone in the wolf’s body. This feature makes biting through tough meat of their prey easier.
In a wolf’s skeletal system, the whole bone structure is an organ itself. It includes the Skull which protects the brain, Scapula (shoulder blade), Vertebrae, Pelvis (hip), Tail-bone, Knee joint, Elbow joint, Radius, Ulna, Metacarpal (toe bone), Femur, Hock (ankle joint) and Sternum.
There are four specialized cells that make up the bones of a wolf. These are the osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts cells, osteoclasts cells and osteocytes cells. Osteoprogenitor cells are immature cells that are located in the bone marrow and membrane. They mature into the osteoblasts which is another type of specialized bone cell. Osteoblasts cells are the bone cells that are responsible for bone formation. They only have one nucleus and function by secreting a substance known as the bone matrix. This substance is then mineralized with substances like calcium and phosphate, which forms the substance we know as bone. Osteoclasts cells are the cells that dissolve bone tissue. They are quite large, with multiple nuclei and are located in the membrane that lines the inner cavity of the bone. Osteocytes cells do not secrete the osteoid bone matrix, but are surrounded by it. They have long branches that reach out from the cell body and communicate with neighbouring osteocytes. These also play an important role in maintaining calcium levels in body fluids.
Wolves are running mammals so this means that their skeleton is structured accordingly. They have long limbs and a deep chest to accommodate large lungs. The bones inside the toes are short but the bones of the legs are long. Due to the wolf having considerably long legs, they are able to take longer strides, which make chasing prey much easier. The skull is another important part of the skeletal system because it protects the brain. The skull at first is made of many bones, though over time they join together and develop. On the other hand, the lower jaw of a wolf is just one bone, the dentary. This unique feature is different to in other mammals as the lower jaw of other mammals contain additional bones. This bone is the hardest, strongest and densest bone in the wolf’s body. This feature makes biting through tough meat of their prey easier.
In a wolf’s skeletal system, the whole bone structure is an organ itself. It includes the Skull which protects the brain, Scapula (shoulder blade), Vertebrae, Pelvis (hip), Tail-bone, Knee joint, Elbow joint, Radius, Ulna, Metacarpal (toe bone), Femur, Hock (ankle joint) and Sternum.
There are four specialized cells that make up the bones of a wolf. These are the osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts cells, osteoclasts cells and osteocytes cells. Osteoprogenitor cells are immature cells that are located in the bone marrow and membrane. They mature into the osteoblasts which is another type of specialized bone cell. Osteoblasts cells are the bone cells that are responsible for bone formation. They only have one nucleus and function by secreting a substance known as the bone matrix. This substance is then mineralized with substances like calcium and phosphate, which forms the substance we know as bone. Osteoclasts cells are the cells that dissolve bone tissue. They are quite large, with multiple nuclei and are located in the membrane that lines the inner cavity of the bone. Osteocytes cells do not secrete the osteoid bone matrix, but are surrounded by it. They have long branches that reach out from the cell body and communicate with neighbouring osteocytes. These also play an important role in maintaining calcium levels in body fluids.
muscular system
The wolf is a very muscular animal as it uses strong trunk muscles to drive their slender legs, allowing them to run fast and leap far. Their strong neck muscles are used to hold up their head and powerful jaw muscles give them their ferocious bite when attacking prey.
There are three types of muscles when it comes to most animals. In a wolf, the smooth muscle lines the internal organs which include the intestine, bladder, uterus and large blood vessels. It usually provides slow, low-energy contractions and it does not tire. The contractions of the smooth muscle are controlled by part of the peripheral nervous system and the contractions are naturally automatic. The cardiac muscle is another type of muscle in the wolf’s muscular system and is closely linked to the smooth muscle. Its contractions are tireless and also automatic. It keeps the wolf’s heart beating at an average of 120 beats every minute until it dies. The other type of muscle is the skeletal muscle, which is also under voluntary control.
Under the skin, the first layer of muscle is cutaneous muscle. This allows the skin to quiver and twitch. It also controls how the fur lies and can accumulate fat when a wolf is well fed. The next layer contains the abdominal obliques, which is formed in a firm sheath around the trunk and limbs. This helps to keep the vital organs in place. Under that, the muscles that control posture and movement are arranged symmetrically in the wolf’s body. They act in pairs to move parts of the skeleton in one direction and then back to its original position.
There are three types of muscles when it comes to most animals. In a wolf, the smooth muscle lines the internal organs which include the intestine, bladder, uterus and large blood vessels. It usually provides slow, low-energy contractions and it does not tire. The contractions of the smooth muscle are controlled by part of the peripheral nervous system and the contractions are naturally automatic. The cardiac muscle is another type of muscle in the wolf’s muscular system and is closely linked to the smooth muscle. Its contractions are tireless and also automatic. It keeps the wolf’s heart beating at an average of 120 beats every minute until it dies. The other type of muscle is the skeletal muscle, which is also under voluntary control.
Under the skin, the first layer of muscle is cutaneous muscle. This allows the skin to quiver and twitch. It also controls how the fur lies and can accumulate fat when a wolf is well fed. The next layer contains the abdominal obliques, which is formed in a firm sheath around the trunk and limbs. This helps to keep the vital organs in place. Under that, the muscles that control posture and movement are arranged symmetrically in the wolf’s body. They act in pairs to move parts of the skeleton in one direction and then back to its original position.
nervous system
The nervous system affects everything that the wolf does. It affects its thinking, breathing, and even moving. The brain and spinal cord is the main control centre of this system along with the all of the nerves connected to it. These nerves flow throughout the wolf’s entire body.
This system can be broken into two parts called the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Nerve cells, also known as neurons, are able to transmit electrical signals to other cells and by this, stimulate activities that are carried out by the animal. These include muscular contractions. Neurons are not the only cells in the wolf’s central nervous system as there are also back up cells.
The wolf is a very advanced vertebrate just like the dog, and due to this fact they have a highly developed brain. The brain is divided into more than one region. The oldest parts are at the base, which is close to the top of the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata is the narrow neck of the brain where the spinal cord is connected. It is responsible for controlling the processes that keep the body alive which are things such as breathing, blood pressure and heartbeat whereas the hind brain and mid brain control posture and balance. The sensory information and control glands, like the hypothalamus and pineal gland, produce hormones that control many different body functions. These include reproductive cycles. The wolf’s fore brain has two regions which are the diencephalon and the cerebrum. Communication, behaviour and learning takes place in the diencephalon region and senses like hearing, sight along with smell takes place in the cerebrum region.
The wolf has a vomeronasal organ which is located in the floor of the nasal cavity. This organ is highly sensitive and detects airborne chemicals, such as pheromones, that enter the mouth.
One interesting piece of information is, inside the nose is where the olfactory region is located. Here, mucus-secreting cells, pigment cells and many olfactory cells are situated. Each receptor cell tapers into a long narrow axon which then leads all the way to one of the two olfactory bulbs. These are parts of the fore brain that are located at the back of the nasal cavity. Something else is that the peripheral vision of a wolf is extremely sensitive to movement. The images gathered through the lens of the eyes are focused on the retina, on which they are sensed by specialized receptor cells called rods and cones.
This system can be broken into two parts called the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Nerve cells, also known as neurons, are able to transmit electrical signals to other cells and by this, stimulate activities that are carried out by the animal. These include muscular contractions. Neurons are not the only cells in the wolf’s central nervous system as there are also back up cells.
The wolf is a very advanced vertebrate just like the dog, and due to this fact they have a highly developed brain. The brain is divided into more than one region. The oldest parts are at the base, which is close to the top of the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata is the narrow neck of the brain where the spinal cord is connected. It is responsible for controlling the processes that keep the body alive which are things such as breathing, blood pressure and heartbeat whereas the hind brain and mid brain control posture and balance. The sensory information and control glands, like the hypothalamus and pineal gland, produce hormones that control many different body functions. These include reproductive cycles. The wolf’s fore brain has two regions which are the diencephalon and the cerebrum. Communication, behaviour and learning takes place in the diencephalon region and senses like hearing, sight along with smell takes place in the cerebrum region.
The wolf has a vomeronasal organ which is located in the floor of the nasal cavity. This organ is highly sensitive and detects airborne chemicals, such as pheromones, that enter the mouth.
One interesting piece of information is, inside the nose is where the olfactory region is located. Here, mucus-secreting cells, pigment cells and many olfactory cells are situated. Each receptor cell tapers into a long narrow axon which then leads all the way to one of the two olfactory bulbs. These are parts of the fore brain that are located at the back of the nasal cavity. Something else is that the peripheral vision of a wolf is extremely sensitive to movement. The images gathered through the lens of the eyes are focused on the retina, on which they are sensed by specialized receptor cells called rods and cones.
Mucus-secreting cells
pigment cells
olfactory cells
circulatory and respiratory systems
In a wolf’s body, all the cells need oxygen and sugar glucose for respiration. The oxygen required is delivered by the blood stream.
The circulation process functions in a closed system where blood circulates. The blood is pumped around the under pressure by the heart, near the centre of the thorax or chest. Similarly to all mammals, the wolf has a four chamber heart. The left atrium receives blood from the lungs which the passes into the left ventricle. There, it pumps oxygenated blood out through the large aorta, from which smaller arteries branch off and carry blood to the rest of the body. After this whole completed circuit, blood drains back to the heart. It does this by entering the right atrium and the right ventricle, where it pumps blood to the lungs.
In the lungs, carbon dioxide is released by the wolf exhaling and oxygen is absorbed by the wolf inhaling. Valves that is located between the atria and ventricles along within the two main veins that lead into the heart, prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. The wolf uses its mouth and nose to draw in air. It also has a deep chest which can hold large lungs, enabling the wolf to breathe deeply and sustain ongoing movement such as running. The oxygen that is inhaled reaches red blood cells because of the large lungs.
An interesting fact about the wolf is that they do not sweat, so panting is utilised as a cooling mechanism. Also, each intake of breath brings more fresh air which contacts with the olfactory cells in the nose and vomeronasal organ.
The circulation process functions in a closed system where blood circulates. The blood is pumped around the under pressure by the heart, near the centre of the thorax or chest. Similarly to all mammals, the wolf has a four chamber heart. The left atrium receives blood from the lungs which the passes into the left ventricle. There, it pumps oxygenated blood out through the large aorta, from which smaller arteries branch off and carry blood to the rest of the body. After this whole completed circuit, blood drains back to the heart. It does this by entering the right atrium and the right ventricle, where it pumps blood to the lungs.
In the lungs, carbon dioxide is released by the wolf exhaling and oxygen is absorbed by the wolf inhaling. Valves that is located between the atria and ventricles along within the two main veins that lead into the heart, prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. The wolf uses its mouth and nose to draw in air. It also has a deep chest which can hold large lungs, enabling the wolf to breathe deeply and sustain ongoing movement such as running. The oxygen that is inhaled reaches red blood cells because of the large lungs.
An interesting fact about the wolf is that they do not sweat, so panting is utilised as a cooling mechanism. Also, each intake of breath brings more fresh air which contacts with the olfactory cells in the nose and vomeronasal organ.
interesting fact:
All wolves generate sounds like barks, whines, growls and howls.
These are created by an exhalant breath. The larynx (voice box),
which is made of cartilage, is located in the trachea. The larynx’s
main function is to keep food from slipping into the trachea. Though,
in dogs, many other animals and wolves, it has also become adapted
for making sounds. Most sounds are from the result of air being
forced past the larynx in a particular way. This causes specific
vibrations of the vocal cords.
digestive system
Every animal feeds to live and the wolf is one of those animals. It has impressively sharp teeth that tears through the thick meat of their prey. When eating, they do not waste time in chewing and so instead, they use their teeth to slice and dice the food, a lubrication of their own saliva is given and then the food is swallowed.
The digestion process of a wolf begins with the mouth where the swallowed food enters the stomach. Acids and other digestive juices located in the stomach turn the food into pulp. The food then passes from the stomach into the first section of the small intestine, which is where pulp is blended digestive juices from the pancreas and liver. Before the food passes further into the intestine, a yellowish liquid called bile helps neutralize the acids in the stomach and also breaks down fatty molecules. This yellowish liquid is produced in the liver and is stored in the gallbladder. When the food reaches the large intestine, it passes through more slowly, allowing time for the last fragments of nutrients to be absorbed from the food. The indigestible waste passes into the rectum and out through the anus. The feces that are now out of the wolf’s body contain a distinctive scent that is unique to each wolf. They use their feces to mark their territories, as well as to make sure that other wolves recognise that they have been there. This whole procedure is how a wolf’s digestive system works.
The digestion process of a wolf begins with the mouth where the swallowed food enters the stomach. Acids and other digestive juices located in the stomach turn the food into pulp. The food then passes from the stomach into the first section of the small intestine, which is where pulp is blended digestive juices from the pancreas and liver. Before the food passes further into the intestine, a yellowish liquid called bile helps neutralize the acids in the stomach and also breaks down fatty molecules. This yellowish liquid is produced in the liver and is stored in the gallbladder. When the food reaches the large intestine, it passes through more slowly, allowing time for the last fragments of nutrients to be absorbed from the food. The indigestible waste passes into the rectum and out through the anus. The feces that are now out of the wolf’s body contain a distinctive scent that is unique to each wolf. They use their feces to mark their territories, as well as to make sure that other wolves recognise that they have been there. This whole procedure is how a wolf’s digestive system works.
The stomach contains many gland cells discharging most of the digestive juices. These juices are stomach acid and enzymes that attack the chemical structure of the food. This is the reason why meat is reduced to an acidic pulp and then continues to pass through the different organs in the digestive process. The intestine is also lined with cells called epithelial cells. Some of these discharge mucus, which helps the food slide along easily when passing through the organ while others are mostly to do with absorption. The surfaces of cells exposed to food passing along the gut have hundreds of tiny hairs called villi. These hairs greatly increase the surface area of the cell so that nutrients can be absorbed with extreme efficiency.
An interesting fact about the wolf is that they have 42 teeth. There a six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, ten molars. Another is, in the early stages of digestion, wolves are able to regurgitate food to share with other pack members such as the pups or the elderly wolves.
An interesting fact about the wolf is that they have 42 teeth. There a six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, ten molars. Another is, in the early stages of digestion, wolves are able to regurgitate food to share with other pack members such as the pups or the elderly wolves.
reproductive system
It is known that wolves mate for life. Their reproductive process functions similarly to a dogs’.
This process starts with courtship and then continues onto breeding. The male wolf is always bigger than the female and has a penis which is supported by a special bone called the baculum. The penis is usually tucked inside a fold of furry skin and the testes hang between the back legs in a scrotal sack. This sack is also lightly furred. Both the male and female wolves have eight nipples located in pairs on their chest and belly, though only the females produce milk. The female wolf has two egg-producing ovaries where a fallopian tube leads to the uterus. When a female wolf is pregnant, her uterus can expand to fit up to eleven cubs.
This process starts with courtship and then continues onto breeding. The male wolf is always bigger than the female and has a penis which is supported by a special bone called the baculum. The penis is usually tucked inside a fold of furry skin and the testes hang between the back legs in a scrotal sack. This sack is also lightly furred. Both the male and female wolves have eight nipples located in pairs on their chest and belly, though only the females produce milk. The female wolf has two egg-producing ovaries where a fallopian tube leads to the uterus. When a female wolf is pregnant, her uterus can expand to fit up to eleven cubs.
During the mating process, the male wolf’s penis swells inside the female. The pair is usually locked together for about half an hour. While in this position, the male wolf produces sperm which passes from the testes, through the vasa deferentia and to the penis. The sperm cell contain three different organelles, these include the nucleus, the mitochondria and the acrosome. The penis then ejaculates the sperm into the female. Meanwhile, eggs are released from two ovaries in the female wolf which pass along the ovarian ducts to the uterus. These egg cells contain mitochondria, ribosomes and a nucleus. Fertilization takes place at any time after the eggs are released.
Female pregnancy lasts for about two months in total. The
newborn cubs are born deaf and blind and only have a
light layer of fur that covers their body. Their bones are still
soft and the muscles are very weak. As they digest their mother’s
milk and grow older, they become stronger.