Question

In which one of the following groups, animals are hermaphrodites?
a. Hydra, Ascaris, Pheretima
B. Hydra, Homosapiens, Leech
C. Tapeworm, toad, Starfish
D. Hydra, Leech, Tapeworm

Answer 1

Hermaphroditism basically refers to the condition in which an organism has both, male as well as female reproductive organs, but such an organism cannot fertilize itself.
Such an organism is also called Monoecious or Bisexual.

Complete answer:
In the organisms which reproduce sexually, the males have male gametes’ producing organs, these gametes are usually the sperms; whereas the females have different female gametes’ producing sexual organs, these gametes are usually called the eggs.

Option A) Hydra, Ascaris, Pheretima - Hydra may or may not be a hermaphrodite; Ascaris is unisexual and not a hermaphrodite; Pheretima is hermaphrodite animal having both testes and ovaries in the same animal body. Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option B) Hydra, Homosapiens, Leech - Hydra may or may not be hermaphrodite; Homosapiens usually are not hermaphrodites; Leech is a hermaphrodite. Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option C) Tapeworm, toad, Starfish - Tapeworm is hermaphrodite; Toad is not a hermaphrodite; Starfish too is not a hermaphrodite. Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option D) Hydra, Leech, Tapeworm - As per the information mentioned above, all 3 of these are hermaphrodites, thus, this is the Correct option.

Note:

In humans, hermaphroditism is extremely rare, and if present, it is caused by various genetic conditions.
One such condition is - when two fertilized eggs fuse together, giving the zygote two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome, an intersexual or hermaphrodite human is formed.
Another condition of human hermaphroditism is caused by the gene SRY. This gene is responsible for the male genitals and the hormone testosterone, getting transferred to the X chromosome during the process of meiosis, which results in both male and female genitals.