Biology Earthworm Observation Lab
Background:
The worms behavior can be described through the movement of it’s segments. Initially, the worm was still, and after contact was made, the tail and head began to move, as the segments along it’s body contracted/released. As the worm continued to adjust to it’s environment and the contact of human hands, it moved more rapidly.
Once the worm was rolled onto it’s dorsal side, it began to move first with it’s head and tail ends, and then moved throughout it’s whole body. The worm tried to readjust itself so that it was back in it’s initial position, and it was evident that it did not respond well to the placement. When the worm was later placed at the bottom of a glass, it curled into a ball, in attempt to fit to it’s surroundings. When tilted the worm responded by quickly retracting and changing positions.
The worm’s behavior was more like taxis than kinesis. This is because it did not move towards anything in particular and there was no stimulus involved. The worm behaved as it did because it had been taken out of it’s usual, soil and dark environment.
The worm is a hermaphrodite, meaning it does not have a specific gender. Worms belong to the phylum annelida, which differs from other phylums because it does not a have gender or body parts.
Once the worm was rolled onto it’s dorsal side, it began to move first with it’s head and tail ends, and then moved throughout it’s whole body. The worm tried to readjust itself so that it was back in it’s initial position, and it was evident that it did not respond well to the placement. When the worm was later placed at the bottom of a glass, it curled into a ball, in attempt to fit to it’s surroundings. When tilted the worm responded by quickly retracting and changing positions.
The worm’s behavior was more like taxis than kinesis. This is because it did not move towards anything in particular and there was no stimulus involved. The worm behaved as it did because it had been taken out of it’s usual, soil and dark environment.
The worm is a hermaphrodite, meaning it does not have a specific gender. Worms belong to the phylum annelida, which differs from other phylums because it does not a have gender or body parts.
Question:
How will the worm react once placed in a container of packaging peanuts?
Procedure:
1. Place the worm in a water glass filled with packaging peanuts.
2. Leave the worm in the water glass of packaging peanuts for 5 minutes - make observations during this duration (if the worm does not burrow into the peanuts, as it would the soil, the hypothesis is WRONG!)
3. Fill another water glass with soil, and place the worm inside the soil water glass for 5 minutes.
4. Record observations of the worm inside the soil filled water glass.
2. Leave the worm in the water glass of packaging peanuts for 5 minutes - make observations during this duration (if the worm does not burrow into the peanuts, as it would the soil, the hypothesis is WRONG!)
3. Fill another water glass with soil, and place the worm inside the soil water glass for 5 minutes.
4. Record observations of the worm inside the soil filled water glass.
Data:
Hypothesis: If the earthworm is placed into a water glass with packaging peanuts, then the earthworm will burrow into the packaging peanuts, like how it does in it's natural environment/surroundings (soil).
Summary and Analysis:
a. Variables
Independent Variable- Soil, packaging peanuts, water glass.
Dependent Variable- The movement of the worm/burrowing
b. What does your data "mean"?
From the above data, it was concluded that the worm responded more in the packaging peanuts than it did in the soil. The worm had a basic instinct to begin to explore/observe and move around when placed in it’s new environment. In the water glass filled with packaging peanuts there was more space for the worm to move around than there was in the condensed soil. Because of the excess space, it was easier for the worm to move around and burrow inside the packaging peanuts.
c. How does your earthworm's reaction and behavior relate to survival?
The worms reaction to the different environments described can be related to the need for survival created by the constant change, Another factor would be the taxis. Animals do not usually stay in the same environment without some sort of disruption, and when they are placed in a new one, it forces them to adjust or die. When the worm was man-handled, and placed in a foreign environment, it curled up for protection. This is why the worm burrowed, it was trying to remove itself from harm. This is a natural animal instinct.
d. Sources of Error
There were a few sources or errors. The worm could have been tired, causing it to respond less. A group member kept bothering the worm, which may have effected the results.
Independent Variable- Soil, packaging peanuts, water glass.
Dependent Variable- The movement of the worm/burrowing
b. What does your data "mean"?
From the above data, it was concluded that the worm responded more in the packaging peanuts than it did in the soil. The worm had a basic instinct to begin to explore/observe and move around when placed in it’s new environment. In the water glass filled with packaging peanuts there was more space for the worm to move around than there was in the condensed soil. Because of the excess space, it was easier for the worm to move around and burrow inside the packaging peanuts.
c. How does your earthworm's reaction and behavior relate to survival?
The worms reaction to the different environments described can be related to the need for survival created by the constant change, Another factor would be the taxis. Animals do not usually stay in the same environment without some sort of disruption, and when they are placed in a new one, it forces them to adjust or die. When the worm was man-handled, and placed in a foreign environment, it curled up for protection. This is why the worm burrowed, it was trying to remove itself from harm. This is a natural animal instinct.
d. Sources of Error
There were a few sources or errors. The worm could have been tired, causing it to respond less. A group member kept bothering the worm, which may have effected the results.