What is the function of the Clitellum?

Asked by: Nicole Wilson

The clitellum is a thick, saddle-like ring found in the epidermis (skin) of the worm, usually with a light-colored pigment. To form a cocoon for its eggs, the clitellum secretes a viscous fluid. This organ is used in sexual reproduction of some annelids, such as leeches.

What is the function of the clitellum quizlet?

What is the function of the clitellum, the only organ visible externally on earthworms? It secretes mucus that is important in reproduction. The worm alternates between extension and pulling the rest of its body after the extension.

Why is the clitellum of an earthworm so important?

The clitellum is a thickened glandular and non segmented section of the body wall near the head of the earthworm that secretes a viscid sac in which the eggs are deposited. The clitellum is part of the reproductive system of earthworm. It also secretes a viscous fluid to form a cocoon for it’s eggs.

What is the function of the clitellum in annelid life cycles?

Clitellate annelids are distinguished from other worms by their characteristic reproductive structure, the clitellum, whose function is to secrete an egg capsule, or cocoon. The clitellum appears as a thickened sleeve or saddle a few segments in length within the anterior third region of the worm.

What is clitellum short answer?

Definition of clitellum



: a thickened glandular section of the body wall of some annelids that secretes a viscid sac in which the eggs are deposited.

What is inside the clitellum of an earthworm?

The clitellum is a thickened glandular and non-segmented section of the body wall near the head of the earthworm that secretes a viscid sac in which the eggs are deposited. The clitellum is part of the reproductive system of earthworm. It also secretes a viscous fluid to form a cocoon for its eggs.

When earthworms mate the clitellum does which of the following quizlet?

When earthworms mate, the clitellum does which of the following? It secretes mucus to hold the worms together.

Where is the clitellum in earthworm?

The clitellum is part of the reproductive system of earthworms. It is a thick saddle-like ring found in the epidermis (skin) of the worm. It is a non-segmented glandular section near the head at the anterior end of the body. It secretes a viscid sac where eggs are stored.

Do all earthworms have a clitellum?

The clitellum is only found on adult worms. Young or juvenile worms do not have a clitellum. The clitellum of each species of earthworm has a distinct colour, size, and shape. Another key structure found on the clitellum is the tubercula pubertatis.

How do you pronounce clitellum?

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Do leeches have clitellum?

As hermaphrodites, leeches have both male and female sex organs. Like the earthworms they also have a clitellum, a region of thickened skin which is only obvious during the reproductive period. Mating involves the intertwining of bodies where each deposits sperm in the others’ clitellar area.

Do worms have eye?

No, not really. Instead, they have cells called receptors that can sense whether it’s light or dark. This allows worms to tell if they’re underground or above ground.

Why are worms slimy?

A moist surface is necessary for oxygen to be absorbed and carbon dioxide to be given off. The worm’s skin is protected by a thin cuticle and kept moist by a slimy mucus. This lets it absorb the oxygen it needs and expel carbon dioxide.

Do worms poop out of their mouth?

In the intestine, food is broken down into usable chemicals which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Leftover soil particles and undigested organic matter pass out of the worm through the rectum and anus in the form of castings, or worm poop. Worm poop is dark, moist, soil-colored, and very rich in nutrients.

Do worms have Buttholes?

There it is crushed and ground apart before moving into the intestine, where it is broken down further by digestive enzymes. Some of the food is passed into the bloodstream for use by the earthworm, and the rest passes out the anus as castings (worm poop).

Do worms have gender?

Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning an individual worm has both male and female reproductive organs. The scientific name for earthworms—Oligochaeata—means “few bristles.” The bristles help the worms stay anchored in the soil as they move.

Do worms have sperm?

The male and female sex organs can produce sperm and egg respectively in each earthworm. Although earthworms are hermaphrodites, most need a mate to reproduce. During mating, two worms line up inverted from each other so sperm can be exchanged.

Do worms live if you cut them in half?

The head of the worm may survive and regenerate its tail if the animal is cut behind the clitellum, according to The Washington Post. But the original tail of the worm will not be able to grow a new head (or the rest of its vital organs), and will instead die.

Do worms have tongues?

The short answer is no. Worms do not have tongues. Some people think that worms have tongues because certain worms do have something in their mouth that they can poke out, like a tongue. It is called a “stylet” and it looks like a needle.

Why do worms have 5 hearts?

While earthworms may seem simple because they lack many visible external organs, they have complex inner organs including five pairs of heart-like structures called aortic arches, which they use to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of their bodies.

Can a worm bite you?

Worms don’t bite. They also don’t sting. 3. They are cold-blooded animals, which means they don’t maintain their own body heat but instead assume the temperature of their surroundings.

Do worms talk?

Earthworms only communicate with each other by touch and taste, but they can feel vibrations, and often avoid predators by sensing their footsteps.

Do worms feel pain?

But a team of Swedish researchers has uncovered evidence that worms do indeed feel pain, and that worms have developed a chemical system similar to that of human beings to protect themselves from it.

Do worms sleep?

Worms don’t sleep on a day/night schedule like mammals. Instead, their sleep-like behavior occurs at specific stages during development; the worms enter this state each time they transition from one larval stage to another.