Earthworm Dissection Review

Earthworm Kingdom: Animalia

\ Earthworm Phylum: Annelida

\ Earthworm Class: Oligochaeta

\ What benefit do setae give the earthworm in its environment? They allow the worm to grip the ground as it moves.

\ Which best describes how an earthworm moves? The worm anchors itself with the help of setae, contracts muscles, and pulls itself forward. Then it elongates and pushes the anterior end forward. This repeats.

\ After pressing on the crop and gizzard to test their firmness, which did you find was softer? The crop was softer and thinner.

\ What is the benefit of the earthworm having a gizzard? The gizzard grinds and churns soil, allowing it to pass into the long intestine.

\ What is the purpose of the cerebral ganglia? It processes information sent from nerves and sensory cells.

\ Which of the following are involved in reproduction? Seminal vesicles, Clitellum, Genital pores

\ An earthworm can fertilize its own eggs. False

\ What is the purpose of the seminal receptacle? It assists with the fertilization process.

\ Is the earthworm's circulatory system open or closed? Closed

\ Which human organ is similar to the earthworm's nephridia/metanephridium? Kidneys

\ What is the function of the nephridia/metanephridium? It eliminates nitrogenous wastes and excess water.

\ How does the earthworm obtain oxygen? Their skin contains small blood vessels that absorb oxygen into their blood.

\ To continue gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out), what must an earthworm avoid? Drying out and extreme heat.

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