Describe the process of breathing in earthworm.

Earthworms have no respiratory organ and hence the exchange of gases (respiration) takes place through the moist skin. The oxygen from the environment diffuses passively across the moist skin and it is carried by the circulatory system to the cells. Similarly carbon dioxide from the cells is also carried by circulatory system and diffused out through the moist skin. So they respire through their moist skin and will die if their skin dries out.

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 Earthworms don't have lungs, but instead breathe through their skin. In order for air exchange to take place, the outermost layers of an earthworm are thin and must be kept moist to remain effective. The slime excreted onto the skin keeps it moist. It is also wet by body fluid which is excreted through 'dorsal pores' located along the dorsal (back) midline in the grooves between the segments.

This need for moisture restricts an earthworm's activities to a burrowing life in damp soil. They emerge only at night when the evaporating potential of the air is low, and retreat deep underground during hot, dry weather. Light-sensitive tissues near the worm's head enable it to detect light, so they can avoid venturing out by day.

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earthworms's skin feel moist and slimy on touching.Gases can easily pass through them.In this way earthworms breathe.

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