what muscles allow the earthworm to change its length and thickness?
2007-08-16 06:01:14 · 3 answers · asked by wake up 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Longitudinal muscles and circular muscles. They work in an antagonistic manner.
2007-08-20 04:04:01 · answer #1 · answered by Ishan26 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earthworms travel underground by the means of waves of muscular contractions which alternately shorten and lengthen the body. The shortened part is anchored to the surrounding soil by tiny claw-like bristles (setae) set along its segmented length. (Typically, earthworms have four pairs of setae for each segment but some genera are perichaetine, having a large number of setae on each segment.) The whole burrowing process is aided by the secretion of a slimy lubricating mucus. Worms can make gurgling noises underground when disturbed as a result of the worm moving through its lubricated tunnels as fast as it can. hope this helps!
2007-08-16 13:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by Keith S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ring muscles and longitudinal muscles acting against an internal hydroskeleton.
2007-08-16 14:50:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋