Question

A single hookworm sucks ............. ml of blood.

• A. 0.1 ml
• B. 0.5 ml
• C. 0.8 ml
• D. 1.2 ml

Answer 1

The correct option is C 0.8 ml

According to Wells (1931) who observed canine hookworms in dogs' intestines, worms attached to the intestinal wall sucked blood at the rate of 120-150 suctions per minute, with the result that the blood filled the worm's intestinal lumen so fully that it was finally expelled per anum. The amount of blood ingested by a single worm per day was calculated to be as much as 0.8 ml on the basis of the number of red cells collected in 20 minutes in a calibrated pipette placed at the posterior part of the worms, it is assumed that the same rate of suction continued during a 24-hour period.

So, the correct answer is '0.8 ml'.