Reproductive/ Respiratory System

Question 1

What are the male organs?

Answer 1

• Testes
• Seminal vesicles
• Vas deferens (sperm ducts)

Question 2

What are the female organs?

Answer 2

• Ovaries
• Oviducts
• Seminal receptacles

Question 3

[Step 1]

When does copulation occur?

Answer 3

Copulation occurs between worms when they lie ventral surface to ventral surface with their heads pointing in opposite directions.

Question 4

[Step 2]

What is the clitellum?

Answer 4

• A smooth girdle-like area around the worm body.
• It secretes mucus that holds the worms together.

Question 5

[Step 3]

What is the function of the mucus?

Answer 5

1. Holds the worms together during copulation.
2. Provides moisture through which sperm swim from one body to the other where they are stored in the seminal receptacles.

Question 6

[Step 4]

After the worms separate:

Answer 6

The clitellum of each produces a slime tube or cocoon that is moved over the anterior end of each worm by muscular contractions.

Question 7

[Step 5]

As the slime tube passes:

Answer 7

sperm from seminal receptacles received during copulation & eggs from the female pores are deposited and fertilization occurs.

Question 8

[Step 6]

Function of cocoon?

Answer 8

• Protects worms as they develop into juveniles.
• There is no larval stage.

Question 9

Respiratory System?

Answer 9

• There is no specialized system.
• The moist skin layer permits diffusion of O₂ + CO₂.