How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have? — Reading Comprehension
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This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
This interactive science reading passage, titled "How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have? A Triple Beat!", answers a common and fascinating question about octopus anatomy. Aligned with NGSS Life Science standards, particularly MS-LS1-3 (Body Systems), the passage explains that octopuses possess three hearts: two branchial hearts to pump blood through their gills for oxygenation, and one systemic heart to circulate oxygenated blood to the rest of their body. It highlights their unique blue blood, which contains copper-based hemocyanin for oxygen transport. The text emphasizes how this complex triple-heart circulatory system is a vital adaptation for their active, intelligent lifestyle, ensuring efficient oxygen delivery in their marine environment. This resource is excellent for fostering reading comprehension, expanding vocabulary related to animal physiology and adaptations, and sparking curiosity about unique biological systems.
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Have you ever wondered about the incredible anatomy of an octopus, one of the ocean's most intelligent and mysterious creatures? Beyond their eight arms and incredible camouflage, octopuses hide another fascinating secret: how many hearts does an octopus have? The answer is a surprising three!
That's right, these remarkable marine animals possess not one, but three distinct hearts, each playing a vital role in their unique circulatory system. Two of these are called branchial hearts. These smaller hearts are located near the octopus's gills and their specific job is to pump blood through the two gills, where it picks up oxygen from the seawater. Think of them as dedicated pumps for respiration.
The third heart is the systemic heart. This larger, main heart is responsible for circulating oxygenated blood to the rest of the octopus's body, including its brain, arms, and organs. This specialized setup ensures that the octopus gets a high-pressure flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout its active body, allowing it to be a swift hunter and a quick thinker.
Adding to their uniqueness, octopus blood isn't red like ours; it's a distinctive blue! This is because their blood uses a copper-based protein called hemocyanin to transport oxygen, rather than the iron-based hemoglobin found in vertebrates. This complex circulatory system with three hearts and blue blood is a brilliant adaptation that allows the octopus to thrive in its watery environment, supporting its highly active and intelligent lifestyle.
How many hearts does an octopus have?
OneTwoThreeFour
What do the two smaller hearts pump blood to?
The brainThe armsThe gillsThe eyes
What is the main heart called?
Arm heartSystemic heartGill heartBlue heart
What color is octopus blood?
RedGreenBlueClear
What protein makes octopus blood this color?
HemoglobinKeratinHemocyaninCollagen
What does this protein help transport?
FoodWaterOxygenWaste
What is the main idea of this passage?
Octopuses have many arms.Octopuses have three hearts for efficient blood flow.Octopus blood is always cold.Octopus hearts are very small.
What does having three hearts help the octopus do?
Swim slowlyHunt activelyStay stillBreathe less
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