Biology EARTHWORM: EXCRETORY AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

KEY TOPICS

`star` Excretory System
`star` Nervous System
`star` Sensory Organs

EXCRETORY SYSTEM

โ— The `color{violet}("excretory organs")` occur as segmentally arranged `color{violet}("coiled tubules")` called `color{brown}("nephridia")` (sing.: `color{violet}("๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฉ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ถ๐˜ฎ")`).

โ— They are of three types:

`star` `color{green}("Septal nephridia:")` Present on both the sides of `color{violet}("intersegmental septa")` of segment 15 to the last that open into `color{violet}("intestine")`

`star` `color{green}("Integumentary nephridia:")` Attached to lining of the `color{violet}("body wall")` of segment 3 to the last that open on the `color{violet}("body surface")`

`star` `color{green}("Pharyngeal nephridia:")` Present as three paired `color{violet}("tufts")` in the 4th, 5th and 6th segments.

โ— These different types of `color{violet}("nephridia")` are basically similar in structure.

โ— `color{violet}("Nephridia")` regulate the volume and composition of the `color{violet}("body fluids")`.

โ— A `color{brown}("nephridium")` starts out as a funnel that collects excess fluid from `color{violet}("coelomic chamber.")`

โ— The funnel connects with a tubular part of the `color{violet}("nephridium")` which delivers the wastes through a pore to the surface in the body wall into the `color{violet}("digestive tube.")`


NERVOUS SYSTEM

โ— `color{violet}("Nervous system")` is basically represented by `color{brown}("ganglia")` arranged `color{violet}("segmentwise")` on the ventral paired `color{violet}("nerve cord.")`

โ— The `color{brown}("nerve cord")` in the anterior region (3rd and 4th segments) bifurcates, laterally encircling the `color{violet}("pharynx")` and joins the cerebral `color{brown}("ganglia dorsally")` to form a `color{brown}("nerve ring.")`

โ— The cerebral `color{violet}("ganglia alongwith")` other `color{violet}("nerves")` in the ring integrate sensory input as well as command `color{violet}("muscular")` responses of the body.

SENSORY SYSTEMS

โ— `color{violet}("Sensory system")` does not have eyes but does possess `color{brown}("light and touch")` `color{violet}("sensitive organs")` (receptor cells) to distinguish the `color{violet}("light intensities")` and to feel the vibrations in the ground.

โ— Worms have specialised `color{brown}("chemoreceptors")` (taste receptors) which react to chemical stimuli.

โ— These `color{violet}("sense organs")` are located on the `color{violet}("anterior part")` of the worm.

 
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