Response to light by earthworms in Living with Non-Living – Class 6 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Living with Non-Living

Activity Name: Response to light by earthworms in Living with Non-Living

Activity Description:

Required Items:

1. Earthworm
2. Glass jar
3. Black paper
4. Soil
5. Lid with small holes
6. Light source (e.g., flashlight)

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Obtain an earthworm from nearby moist soil.
2. Take a glass jar and cover half of it with black paper, as shown in Fig.
3. Place some soil in the jar.
4. Gently place the earthworm into the jar on top of the soil.
5. Close the jar tightly with a lid that contains small holes to allow air circulation.
6. Ensure the earthworm has access to both the dark and covered portion as well as the uncovered portion of the jar.
7. Observe the initial position of the earthworm.
8. Shine a light source, such as a flashlight, onto the jar or the uncovered portion of the jar.
9. Observe the behavior of the earthworm in response to the light stimulus.
10. Record your observations.

Experiment Observations:

When the light is shed on the earthworm or the uncovered portion of the jar, the earthworm typically moves towards the dark portion of the jar. It demonstrates a response to the light stimulus by attempting to seek shelter or darkness.

Precautions:

1. Handle the earthworm with care to ensure its well-being during the experiment.
2. Ensure the jar is securely closed to prevent the earthworm from escaping.
3. Use a light source that is not too intense or close to the earthworm, as it may cause harm.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

The experiment demonstrates that earthworms show a response to light stimuli. They tend to move away from light and towards darker areas, indicating their sensitivity to light. This response is likely an adaptive behavior that helps earthworms avoid potentially harmful or unfavorable light conditions.