How to Dissect a Cow's Eye

In junior high or early high school, you are may be required to dissect a cow's eye in order to learn how a human eye forms images. Follow these steps to learn how to dissect a cow's eye.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Put the cow's eye on a tray and prepare to dissect it by laying out your tools. These should include a scalpel, tweezers and scissors. Cut the fat and muscle away from the cow's eye. Cut near the sclera to remove it from the membrane that secures it to the muscle.

2. Slice through the sclera near the center of the cow's eye using a razor-sharp scalpel. This will leave half of the eye showing the anterior features, such as the cornea, lens, iris and ciliary body. The other half of the cow's eye will display the attachment of the optic nerve to the eye. Remove and throw away the vitreous humor, or the eye gel.

3. Turn over the anterior half of the cow's eye. Cut the cornea out using a pair of sharpened scissors. Keep a steady hand so as not to cut the iris or the lens.

4. Study the features of the anterior half of the eye. Find the iris and ciliary body and study it. Notice how the iris overlays the lens. This helps the iris to open and shut, permitting light into the eye.

5. Pull out the lens and look at it. Notice how the lens is yellowish and stiff. When the cow is alive, the lens is elastic and transparent.

6. Examine the posterior half of the cow's eye. Use tweezers and carefully pull out the retina that is anchored to the inside wall of the cow's eye. Be careful, as it may tear.