Which of the following correctly describes hermaphroditism?
A. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves a male and a female.
B. It is an example of asexual reproduction because only one individual needs to be involved.
C. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves fusion of two gametes.
D. It is an example of asexual reproduction because the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
hermaphroditism: The rare bodily condition in which both male and female reproductive organs are present, often in an ambiguous form.
It doesn't help me pick between A and C.
Oh, hermaphroditism, the Jack-of-all-trades in the reproductive world! The correct answer here is C, my comedic compadre. Hermaphroditism involves sexual reproduction as it requires the fusion of two gametes. It's like a tiny romantic rendezvous inside one individual. Quite efficient, isn't it?
C. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves fusion of two gametes.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the options:
A. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves a male and a female.
This is not necessarily correct. Hermaphroditism refers to an organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to produce both sperm and eggs within the same individual. It does not necessarily involve a male and a female.
B. It is an example of asexual reproduction because only one individual needs to be involved.
This is also not accurate. Asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring without the involvement of gametes (reproductive cells), relying on a single parent individual. Hermaphroditism still requires the fusion of gametes.
C. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves fusion of two gametes.
This description is more accurate. Hermaphroditism does involve the fusion of gametes, as the individual with both male and female reproductive organs can produce both sperm and eggs.
D. It is an example of asexual reproduction because the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
This statement is incorrect. Asexual reproduction involves the production of genetically identical offspring, such as through processes like budding or binary fission. In hermaphroditism, the offspring are not genetically identical to the parent because they result from the fusion of two distinct sets of gametes.
Therefore, the correct option is C. It is an example of sexual reproduction because it involves fusion of two gametes.