Question

21. Compare sexual reproduction among free living flatworms, flukes, and tapeworms. (10 points)

Answer 1

Flatworms , Flukes and Tapeworms are Hermophrodites (where male and female organs are present on the same animal)

Flateworms : these produce eggs within its body and fertilize them with sperm generated in its body or involve physical contact between 2 worms, where sperm of one worm is absorbed into the skin of another. Ultimately, fertilized eggs are encased in a cocoon within the body the cocoon is released into environment. the cocoon nourishes the eggs, which develop and later hatch.

Flukes: the lifecycle begins as eggs as primary host and then pass with the host's feces . after the eggs hatch, the larvae move to another host, called intermediate host,i.e molluscus.the life cycle contiues when a new primaryhost eats the intermediate host,at which point the fulukes infects the primary host.

Tapeworms: hese udergo self or cross fertilization. during copulation the cirri of one individual connect with those of the another through the genitalpore, and then sperms are exchanged.