Question

Explain the process of respiration in earthworm.

Answer 1

Earthworm

Earthworm is an example of annelids. It is a lower invertebrate whose organ systems are not that developed. They do not have a well developed respiratory system and performs cutaneous respiration.

Cutaneous respiration

Cutaneous respiration is the form of respiration in which exchange of gases takes place through the skin instead of the lungs or gills.

Respiration in earthworm

In earthworms, the skin serves as the organ of respiration. This type of respiration is called cutaneous respiration. The skin is thin, transparent, moist and richly supplied with blood capillaries. The process of respiration in earthworms can be summarized as:

• Hemoglobin is found dissolved in blood plasma.
• The exchange of gases through the skin takes place by diffusion. Oxygen diffuses in and Carbon dioxide diffuses out through the skin cells.
• Hemoglobin present in the blood then mixes with the oxygen and circulates throughout the body thereby supplying it to different tissues.