Mackenzie WatsonBlock 3ABlack Worm Lab ReportBlack Worm Lab
ReportRecognize and Define a ProblemBlack worms, or Lumbriculus
variegatus, are annelids that habitat in marshes, ponds, or swamps.
These worms are most commonly used as feeders for other larger fish
and can be cultivated. At room temperature, their population can
double in three to four weeks. However, many blackworm forums
suggest keeping the worms refrigerated. The purpose of this study
is to evaluate the immediate response from the annelids when
introduced to different temperatures.HypothesisCold water will not
make the black worms more active. Warm water will negatively affect
the worms and they will become more active. Design and
Implementation of A PlanIdentification of VariablesTemperature.
22.6 C water (Control)38.4 C water (Warm)16.7 C water
(Chilled)Materials Six 50ml beakers 30 black worms 60 ml of
aquarium water Hot Plate Cooler/RefrigeratorProcedure1) Fill each
beaker with 10 ml of water.2) Put 10 worms each in three of the
beakers.3) Put one unused beaker in the refrigerator; allow it to
reach ___ degrees.4) Put another unused beaker on the hot plate;
allow it to reach ___ degrees.5) Add another 10ml of room
temperature water (22.6 degrees Celsius) to one of the
blackworm-filled beakers.6) Observe this beaker, record data.7) Add
the chiller water (16.7 degrees Celsius) to a different
blackworm-filled beaker.8) Observe this beaker, record data. 9) Add
the warm water (38.4 degrees Celsius) to the final blackworm-filled
beaker.10) Observe this beaker, record data.Illustration
Collect and Analyze DataObservation and CollectionRoom
Temperature (22.6 C) (Control)No notable change. Squirm around from
addition of water, but settle down with the water. After four
minutes, these worms tangle together in a giant cluster along the
edge of the beaker.Warm Temperature (38.4 C)These worms become very
active. The longer worms panic and push their tails further against
the glass. Became aggressive after four minutes.Chilled Temperature
(16.7 C)More active, but not aggressive. Calmed down faster than
the warm worms, but less relaxed than room temperature worms. No
change after four minutes. Display and AnalysisImmediately:After
four minutes:
Room Temp (22.6 C)No notable changeClump together on the edge of
the beaker.
Chilled (16.7 C)Become more active.No change.
Warm (38.4 C)Very active. Became aggressive.
Conclusion/Evaluation/ExtensionConclusionThe end hypothesis was
flawed. While the chilled water did not negatively affect the black
worms, they did become more active. However, the warm water
hypothesis was correct. The black worms did react negatively to the
warm water and became aggressive. They also became more active.
Evaluation/ExtensionUnfortunately, creating quantitative data was
difficult. Next time, take the worms pulse to see if it increases
with varying degrees of water.
