Mackenzie Watson

Block 3A
Black Worm Lab Report

Black Worm Lab Report

Recognize and Define a Problem
Black 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.
Hypothesis
Cold 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 Plan
Identification of Variables
Temperature.
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/Refrigerator
Procedure
1) 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

Mackenzie Watson
Block 3A
Black Worm Lab Report
Collect and Analyze Data
Observation and Collection
Room 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 Analysis
Immediately:
Room Temp (22.6 C)
No notable change
Chilled (16.7 C)
Become more active.
Warm (38.4 C)
Very active.

After four minutes:

Clump together on the edge of the beaker.
No change.
Became aggressive.

Conclusion/Evaluation/Extension
Conclusion
The 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/Extension
Unfortunately, creating quantitative data was difficult. Next time, take the worms pulse to see if
it increases with varying degrees of water.