Question

Tapeworm is attached to the intestinal wall by means of
A.Strobila
B.Hooks and suckers present on the scolex
C.Rostellum alone
D.Suckers alone

Answer 1

A sucker is a specialized attachment organ of an animal. In parasitic worms, cephalopods, a certain type of fishes, amphibians, bats, and in several flatworms the suckers act as the adhesive device. The suction of the host and substrate sucker is used as the muscular structure. These are organs of attachment to the host tissues in flatworms, Roundworms, and parasitic annelids.

Complete answer: Tapeworms belong to the class Cestoda in the phylum of flatworms and subclass Eucestoda. These are ribbon-like worms that are called the tapeworms. Suckers are named as the parasitic adaptation for attachment to their host tissues internally in intestines and blood vessels. Attachment between individuals particularly during mating is present in both tapeworms and roundworms. Sucker functions as the mouth and locomotory organ in annelids. The basic diagnosis between the different species as they are unique is often used as a basic taxonomic diagnosis in the structure and functions of suckers. Bothridia (true suckers) and bothria (false suckers) are the two main distinct classes of suckers in tapeworms.
They are both used for attachment to the intestinal wall and blood vessels. The detailed structure of the suckers, the presence or absence of hooks, and their exact position on the body are major taxonomic keys between species.
Hence, the correct option is (B) Hooks and suckers present on scolex

Note: In general flukes, there is usually an oral sucker at the mouth and a ventral sucker (or acetabulum) posterior to the mouth. Just in front of anus suckers are present in the roundworms so that it is called a pre-anal sucker. The disorder caused due to the tapeworm is called tapeworm intestine that causes tissue and organ damage by consuming the tapeworm eggs and larvae.