Pulse Rate of Lumbriculus variegatus

1. Abstract The Lumbriculus variegatus(California Blackworm) has the unique characteristic of transparent skin and a easily visible circulatory system. This gives researchers ample opportunity to experiment with pulse rate and chemicals. Several California blackworms were placed in specially constructed slide and pulse rates were viewed and recorded. Worms kept in plain water and worms kept in water with a stimulant were recorded and compared. Methodology Pulse Rate of Lumbriculus variegatus The Lumbriculus Variegatus, commonly known as the California blackworm, is a valuable organism for biological research. The black worm is found in shallow pools of water (i.e. s swamp). The blackworm has a closed circulatory system. With a microscope , the pulse rate of the blackworm is clearly visible. Making the blackworm a good specimen to test the effects of chemicals on pulse rate. My hypothesis: blackworms given a stimulant will have a higher pulse rate than the blackworms given no chemicals. In order to obtain the required information to test the hypothesis, follow these procedures: 1. Construct a slide with a “tub” to view the Lumbriculus Variegatus. (Materials needed: tape, glass slide, slide cover and the Lumbriculus Variegatus when viewing) 2.Record the pulse rate of a worm kept in spring water. Record the pulse rate of five different worms kept in the water with the stimulant. Results Pulse rate of worms in plain water Pulse rate of worms with stimulant Discussion Introduction After analyzing the data collected. It was found that the California blackworms pulse rate was not higher when under the influence of a stimulant. It was concluded that our teacher had not actually added a stimulant or depressant to our supply of worms. This allowed her to successfully see if students distorted data wrongfully. The data shows that the worms with stimulant had a lower mean(average) than the worms in plain water.