Earth Worm Dissection
In this dissection we dissected an earthworm. we did not cut open the whole earth worm because we felt that it was not needed. we started cutting below the citellum upward to the mouth. Doing so we were able to locate the earthworms vital organs.
External Anatomy
- citellum- the reproductive system - creates cocoons where new babies are formed (almost like eggs)
- mouth- where the food goes in
- Setae- assist the earthworm in moving and in clinging to the walls of its burrow. 4 pairs of bristles on each segment except the first and the last
- Anus- The opening of the intestine
Interior Anatomy
- Dorsal and ventral Blood Vessel- blood moves through these 2 vessels through tubes called aortic arches
- Septa- separate the segments
- heart- helps pump blood through out the body of the worm
- gizzard- sack in the back of the mouth that "chews" the food
- crop-thin wall organ that acts as a temporary storage place for food.
- Seminal Vesicles- extend from the testis sacs and store sperms produced by two pairs of testes within the sacs.
- Intestine- Where enzymes break down food chemically and the blood circulating through the intestine walls absorbs it.
