Lumbricus terrestris
The Lumbricus terrestris, or better known as the earthworm, is a segmented worm that lives off of living and dead organic matter. The amount of segments changes the species. This digestive tract is unique bcause it is never coiling throughout the whole process. Although most of these animals are seven to eight inches, the largest can grow up to fourteen inches! earthworms consume soil, and then extracts the nutrients and minerals as the digestive process goes along.
The digestive system in earthworms is fairly simple. It consists of a mouth, the pharynx, esophagus, crop,, gizzard and intestine. The food enters through the mouth and is swallowed by the pharynx. The pharynx can be compared to a suction pump that takes in the food. The food then moves to the esophagus. This is where calciferous glands are located. These glands release something called calcium carbonate to get the earthworms extra calcium out of its body. This is done to keep the right amount of calcium in the blood stream. The food now moves into the crop where it is stored until it moves into the gizzard. In the gizzard, the food is crushed by strong muscular contractions and mineral particles by the worm. When the food is broken down completely, it slides into the intestine. As the food moves down he worms body through the intestine, glands on the sides of the intestine release fluids that make the process of digestion much easier. The intestine also contains blood vessels on its wall. These vessels absorb the digested food and transport the needed nutrients from the food to all parts of the body. The food is then released from the anus in the back of the worm, on the Pygidium.
The digestive system in earthworms is fairly simple. It consists of a mouth, the pharynx, esophagus, crop,, gizzard and intestine. The food enters through the mouth and is swallowed by the pharynx. The pharynx can be compared to a suction pump that takes in the food. The food then moves to the esophagus. This is where calciferous glands are located. These glands release something called calcium carbonate to get the earthworms extra calcium out of its body. This is done to keep the right amount of calcium in the blood stream. The food now moves into the crop where it is stored until it moves into the gizzard. In the gizzard, the food is crushed by strong muscular contractions and mineral particles by the worm. When the food is broken down completely, it slides into the intestine. As the food moves down he worms body through the intestine, glands on the sides of the intestine release fluids that make the process of digestion much easier. The intestine also contains blood vessels on its wall. These vessels absorb the digested food and transport the needed nutrients from the food to all parts of the body. The food is then released from the anus in the back of the worm, on the Pygidium.