Worm DissectionWorm Dissection

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “1” arrow

points to the worm’s clitellum, an organ responsible for mucus production during reproduction.

• The “1” arrow points to the worm’s clitellum, an organ responsible for mucus production during reproduction.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy

• The “2” arrow points to the worm’s dorsal blood vessel.

• The “2” arrow points to the worm’s dorsal blood vessel.

Worm FactWorm Fact• Worms tunnel deeply in

the soil and bring subsoil closer to the surface mixing it with the topsoil. Slime, a secretion of earthworms, contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. The sticky slime helps to hold clusters of soil particles together in formations called aggregates.

• Worms tunnel deeply in the soil and bring subsoil closer to the surface mixing it with the topsoil. Slime, a secretion of earthworms, contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. The sticky slime helps to hold clusters of soil particles together in formations called aggregates.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy

• The “1” arrow points to the intestine region of the digestive system.

• The “1” arrow points to the intestine region of the digestive system.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy

• The “2” arrow points to gizzard region of the digestive system.

• The “2” arrow points to gizzard region of the digestive system.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy

• The “3” arrow points to crop region of the digestive system.

• The “3” arrow points to crop region of the digestive system.

Worm FactWorm Fact• Worms are

hermaphrodites. Each worm has both male and female organs. Worms mate by joining their clitella (swollen area near the head of a mature worm) and exchanging sperm. Then each worm forms an egg capsule in its clitellum.

• Worms are hermaphrodites. Each worm has both male and female organs. Worms mate by joining their clitella (swollen area near the head of a mature worm) and exchanging sperm. Then each worm forms an egg capsule in its clitellum.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “4” arrows

point to two of the worm's six seminal vesicles (located in segments 9-13), storage organs for sperm that the worm has produced.

• The “4” arrows point to two of the worm's six seminal vesicles (located in segments 9-13), storage organs for sperm that the worm has produced.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “5” arrows

point to two of the worm's four seminal receptacles (located in segments 9 and 10), storage organs for sperm received from another worm.

• The “5” arrows point to two of the worm's four seminal receptacles (located in segments 9 and 10), storage organs for sperm received from another worm.

Worm FactWorm Fact• Did you know a worm has

FIVE hearts? Now that's something to see

• Did you know a worm has FIVE hearts? Now that's something to see

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “6” arrow

points to one of the worm's five pairs of aortic arches, located in segments 7-11. These "hearts" beat and pump blood from the dorsal to the ventral vessel.

• The “6” arrow points to one of the worm's five pairs of aortic arches, located in segments 7-11. These "hearts" beat and pump blood from the dorsal to the ventral vessel.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “7” arrow

points to esophagus region of the digestive system. This organ extends through the aortic arch region and connects to the crop.

• The “7” arrow points to esophagus region of the digestive system. This organ extends through the aortic arch region and connects to the crop.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “8” arrow

points to pharynx region of the digestive system.

• The “8” arrow points to pharynx region of the digestive system.

Worm Anatomy Worm Anatomy • The “9” arrow

points to the worm's suprapharangeal ganglia or "brain". It loops around the pharynx to form the ventral nerve cord that extends the length of the worm.

• The “9” arrow points to the worm's suprapharangeal ganglia or "brain". It loops around the pharynx to form the ventral nerve cord that extends the length of the worm.