Final answer:
To prepare for a dissection, place the animal in a position that allows clear access to the intended structures for study, which is typically the anatomical position. Orientation may vary with the dorsal or ventral side up or a planar cut may be used for bilateral animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing to dissect an animal, it is important to place it in a position that provides clear access to the structures you intend to study. While vertebrate animals can be divided by several planes, the most common orientations for dissection involves positioning the animal to align with the anatomical position commonly used in human anatomy or with a dorsal (back) or ventral (belly) side up, depending on what aspect of the anatomy is being focused on during the dissection. For example, a frog is often dissected with its dorsal side down and limbs spread apart to expose the ventral surface. If dissecting an animal with clear bilateral symmetry, like a goat, it can be useful to make a planar cut from front to back to separate the animal into right and left sides for study. Additionally, for internal examination, a transverse (horizontal) plane may be used to separate the animal into upper and lower portions. Regardless, the position should always respect the anatomical norms for clarity and precision in terms of instructional and ethical standards of the dissection process.