Question

How does an earthworm dig tunnels? An earthworm has no feet or claws. lts body is small and soft. How does an earthworm dig tunnels? 2 Every earthworm has tiny hairs on the bottom of its body. These hairs help the worm move along the ground. If the soil is loose, the earthworm just pushes it to one side to make a tunnel. Mostly, though, the earthworm makes its tunnels by eating. It uses its mouth to take bits of soil into its body. There are tiny pieces of plant leaves and stems in the soil. The earthworm uses them for food. It pushes the rest of the soil out of its body in wiggly shapes called castings, Worm costings make good food for growing plants. Earthworms dig winding tunnels 12 to 18 inches deep in the earth. Each tiny tunnel lets rain and air reach the roots of growing plants. Without these tunnels, the ground would be dry and hard. The earthworm may not be much to look at. But this tiny earth-moving "machine" is one of a farmer's best friends Fill in the circle (O) beside the right answer. 1. The story does not tell about the of an earthworm. O Color O bod tunnels. food 2. Which word in paragraph 3 means "parts of plants that hold up the leaves tunnels stems pieces 3. Which paragraph tells how earthworms move along the ground? 4. MILES is to YARDS as feet is to Think how the first two words go together Then mark the word that goes with feet in the same way. O tunnels inches castings hairs 5. Hard can have the following meanings. Mark the meaning used in paragraph 4. not soft not easy 6. Earthworms breathe through their skin. They get air from between bits of soil. Why do you think they come up to the top of the soil when it rains?

Answer 1

Earthworms use their muscular body and chaetae to move and burrow, consuming soil and expelling castings. They have a complete digestive system which helps them aerate the soil while extracting nutrients, thus benefiting the ecosystem.

Step-by-step explanation:

Earthworms dig tunnels through a combination of muscular action and ingestion of soil. They have a hydrostatic skeleton, a fluid-filled body cavity that provides support for muscle contractions. Earthworms move through soil by contracting their muscles, which pushes their body forward. The tiny hairs on their body, called chaetae, provide grip for this movement. Additionally, earthworms follow a process called deposit feeding, where they consume soil, extracting organic matter, and expel the inorganic material as worm casts or castings. These castings are nutrient-rich and beneficial for plant growth.

The earthworm has a complete digestive system, starting with the mouth, through which it ingests soil. The soil passes through the esophagus to the crop for temporary storage, then to the gizzard where it is ground up. Finally, the digested material moves through the intestine, where nutrients are absorbed, and the waste is excreted through the anus. Their digestion process not only allows them to feed but also results in the formation of tunnels that aerate the soil, making it more fertile.

Earthworms are an integral part of the ecosystem, enhancing soil quality and structure, which in turn supports plant growth. Their ability to aerate the soil ensures that essential elements such as air and water can reach plant roots. Interestingly, earthworms come to the surface when it rains because their burrowing and breathing ability is compromised when soil pores fill with water, reducing available oxygen.