Question

Which of the following is a hermaphrodite animal?
A.Bear
B.Tiger
C.Leech
D.Wolf

Answer 1

In some animals, sexes are not separate. Male and female gametes are formed in the same individual in these animals and are called hermaphrodites. This phenomenon is called hermaphroditism.

Complete answer: Hermaphrodites are also called monoecious as the sexes are not separate in these individuals or we can say that in a hermaphrodite single individual has both the sexes. They are called bisexual animals, if separate sexes are seen in certain animals, they are called dioecious or unisexual animals.
Sponges that belong to the phylum Porifera are hermaphrodites in nature. We know that most of the lower forms of animals like sponges, flatworms, ctenophores, etc are hermaphrodites in nature.
Animals that belong to the phylum Aschelminthes are dioecious in nature. Females are easily distinguishable in these animals as the females are longer than males.
Annelida is the phylum that includes animals that are both monoecious and dioecious. Nereis, which is an aquatic animal, is dioecious. Earthworm and leech are monoecious as both male and female sex organs are seen in a single individual.
Most of the higher animals are dioecious in nature like a bear, tiger, wolf, etc.
Hence the correct option is C.

Additional information: Phylum annelida includes animals that are called ringworms and their body is marked into several ring-like segments called metameres. Aschelminthes are called roundworms as their body is circular in cross section. Platyhelminthes are called flatworms as they have dorso- ventrally flattened body.

Note: The phenomenon of having both male and sex organs in a same individual is also called as gonochorism. Male and female gametes are released from a single body and fertilisation may take place either in the external environment as in Ctenophores or inside the individual as in sponges and Platyhelminthes.