1/18/12 7th Grade Notes - Worm Activity

Hey guys.  for those of you who missed class we got to have some fun with those creepy crawly creatures called earthworms (segmented worms).  First, we looked at them in more detail and actually were able to SEE the many things we have talked about already.  A few things every group was able to find were the clitellum, the anterior end (mouth), and the posterior end (anus).   

http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16labman05/lb6pg2.htm

Next we ran a few experiments to see how the worm responded to different stimuli.  Each group saw how the worm responded to touch of a cotton swab, vinegar on a cotton swab near either end, and one of the following habitats - light v. dark, cold v. room temperature, and moist v. dry.

It was discovered that the earthworm will back away from being touched and having a cotton swab of vinegar placed in front of it.  This is more true for the anterior end than the posterior end.  As far as habitats, summing up what every group found, earthworms prefer a moist, dark, and cold environment.  These characteristics closely mimic what the soil is like in most places earthworms are found so to most of you that was not a surprise.  

Here is a great link to more information about the external and internal anatomy of an earthworm if interested -- http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16labman05/lb6pg2.htm.  This is what we are going to cover over the next few days so it will be a good guide for you guys.

Just a heads up, the test has been moved back a day to Tuesday, January 24.  See you all tomorrow.