Chapter 50, Problem 1TYU

Hermaphroditism (a) is a form of asexual reproduction (b) occurs when an unfertilized egg develops into an adult animal (c) is a form of sexual reproduction in which an animal produces both eggs and sperm (d) typically involves self-fertilization (e) typically requires only a male animal

Summary Introduction

Introduction: Reproduction is the process by which the organisms propagate their species by the union of the male and females gametes in the case of sexual reproduction or by asexual means which do not involves male and female gametes. Sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction are the two types of reproduction.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer: Hermaphroditism is a form of sexual reproduction in which an animal produces both eggs and sperm.

Hence, the correct answer is option (c).

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct answer:

Hermaphroditism is a form of sexual reproduction in which an organism has both male and female reproductive systems. They produce both male and female gametes, so any two organisms can mate with any organism and can even self-fertilize. In hermaphrodites, the gametes produced by meiosis have different genetic makeup than the parent organism. It is an adaptation that came during evolution to cope with the challenge of finding a partner, and it became dominant with time. The examples for hermaphrodites include earthworms, snails, and flowering plants.

Option (c) is given as “is a form of sexual reproduction in which an animal produces both eggs and sperm”.

In Hermaphroditism, each individual has both male and female reproductive systems. Thus, it produces both types of gametes (egg and sperm).

Hence, the correct answer is option (c).

Reasons for the incorrect answers:

Option (a) is given as “is a form of asexual reproduction”.

Asexual reproduction is one of the types of reproduction where a single parent produces offspring with identical set of genes. Hermaphroditism is a form of sexual reproduction and not asexual reproduction.

Hence, option (a) is incorrect.

Option (b) is given as “occurs when an unfertilized egg develops into an adult animal”.

The development or growth of the embryo from an egg without fertilization is called as parthenogenesis. It is not a type of sexual reproduction.

Hence, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (d) is given as “typically involves self-fertilization”.

Self-fertilization occurs in a few of hermaphrodite. Self-fertilization is usually prevented in hermaphrodites by developing ovaries and testes at different times.

Hence, option (d) is incorrect.

Option (e) is given as “typically requires only a male animal”.

A hermaphrodite produces both types of gametes (egg and sperm). Thus, they are not referred to a single male animal.

Hence, option (e) is incorrect.

Hence, the options (a), (b), (d), and (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

In hermaphroditism, each animal produces both types of gametes (egg and sperm).