Question

If an earthworm releases cocoons from posterior end instead of anterior end then

• A. Digestion will be affected
• B. Only one zygote will be formed in cocoon
• C. Several zygotes will be formed in cocoon
• D. Sperms will not reach the cocoon and fertilization will not take place

Answer 1

The correct option is D Sperms will not reach the cocoon and fertilization will not take place

Earthworms are the tube-shaped segmented bisexual organism. The saddle-like ring found in the epidermis of the worm covers several segments toward its anterior end. To form the cocoon for its eggs, the clitellum secretes a viscous liquid which forms a ring around the worm. The mating pair overlaps the front ends ventrally and exchanges the sperm which is later injected into the eggs in the cocoon where the embryonic worms develop. If cocoon is released by the posterior end then sperm will not reach the cocoon and fusion will not take place. So, the correct answer is option D.