Vocabulary: » Term: » Records: » ID: 322

Click image to see larger image	Dolphin Skeleton - Limbs (Ball and Socket Joint)
Location	http://bilbo.bio.purdue.edu/~npelaez/images/100792.1.jpg
Observations	The dolphin has two front limbs modified into flippers attached at the shoulder.
Explanations	The flippers of the dolphin help it swim through water. The ball and socket joint at the shoulder help the dolphin steer and roll while in the water, allowing it to actively swim and catch food while avoiding predators.
California Standards	Specialized structures
National Standards	Structure and function
Related NSF Exemplary Curriculum	Bones and skeletons
Related Sets	Aquatic Animal Skeleton - Ball and Socket Joint
Creative Commons License	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 License.
Authors	Ketan Patel ketanpate@csu.fullerton.edu Student, Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton
Publisher	California State University, Fullerton Jul 14 2007

This material is based upon work that was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0127164 to California State University Fullerton. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.