Can A Worm Smell?
Method
Worms were collected from the school field by using a weak soap solution poured over an area of ground. The worms were carefully rinsed in tap water to remove the detergent. The reactions of the front end of worms to being touched by the point of a pencil and the blunt end of a pencil were observed. A cotton wool bud was soaked in a weak solution of ethanoic acid. This was brought towards the head of worm and gently touched against it. The reaction of the worm was again noted.
Results
It was clearly seen that when a blunt object touched the worm, there was very little reaction. However, if a sharp object touched the worm it responded by moving away. The cotton wool bud (a blunt object) caused a positive response when it was soaked in ethanoic acid.
Conclusion
The fact that the worms responded to a blunt object treated with an irritant chemical suggests that worms can indeed smell!