Question

Which one of the following groups consists of hermaphrodite organisms ?
(a) Leech, tapeworm, hydra
(b) Earthworm, tapeworm, roundworm
(c) Earthworm, starfish, turtle
(d) Leech, nereis, roundworm

Answer 1

A hermaphrodite is an organism that has both types of reproductive organs and can produce gametes associated with both male and female sexes. Many animal taxonomic groups (mostly invertebrates) lack separate sexes.

Complete answer:
Hermaphroditism is a normal condition in these groups, allowing for a type of sexual reproduction in which either partner can act as the female or male. Hermaphrodites include the vast majority of tunicates, pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails, earthworms, and slugs. Hermaphroditism can be found in some fish species and, to a lesser extent, in other vertebrates.
The majority of plants are also hermaphrodites. A species with two sexes, male and female, is known as gonochoric, which is the inverse of hermaphrodite.Historically, the term hermaphrodite has also been used to describe individuals of gonochoristic species, particularly humans, who have ambiguous genitalia and gonadal mosaicism.
Leeches and tapeworms are hermaphroditic, meaning they have reproductive organs from both sexes in the same individual. Leeches, on the other hand, do not self-fertilize, whereas tapeworms do. Hydra can be hermaphroditic or have distinct sexes. Roundworms are sexually dimorphic, whereas earthworms are hermaphrodites. Starfish are sequential hermaphrodites with the ability to change sex during their lifetime. Turtles and Nereis are not hermaphrodites.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A): Leech, tapeworm, hydra.

Note: When explorers first discovered spotted hyenas, they were thought to be hermaphrodites. Early observations of spotted hyenas in the wild led researchers to believe that both male and female spotted hyenas were born with what appeared to be a penis. In female spotted hyenas, the apparent penis is actually an enlarged clitoris with an external birth canal.