Student Activities

1. Bivalves are one of many species that absorb and retain pollutants such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals in their bodies.  This process is called bioaccumulation. When humans or other animals higher up the food chain eat the mussels, they are also ingesting the toxins in the mussel’s tissue, which may cause undesirable health effects. Find out if mussels are monitored in your region, and what, in particular, they are tested for.  Have there been any shellfish consumption warnings in the past year? If so, what prompted the warnings?

2. Color the clam, oyster and scallop online at: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/painting/Bivalves.shtml

Student Worksheet

General Bivalve Anatomy

1. Label the parts of the bivalve above.

2. Explain the functions of the following:

 Inhalant Siphon:

 Exhalant Siphon:

 Foot:

 Palps:

 Adductor Muscles:

 Umbo:

 Mantle:

 Gills: