Question

Organisms within the phylum Platyhelminthes have very poorly developed _________________ and ____________________ systems, but often have both male and female reproductive systems, so they are said to be ____________________________ or hermaphroditic.

a) Respiratory, excretory, unisexual.
b) Nervous, circulatory, asexual.
c) Digestive, respiratory, bisexual.
d) Excretory, nervous, hermaphroditic.

Answer 1

Flatworms have poorly developed excretory and nervous systems, lack circulatory and respiratory systems, and are hermaphroditic, having both male and female reproductive organs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Organisms within the phylum Platyhelminthes, commonly known as flatworms, have very poorly developed excretory and nervous systems. These organisms have a basic excretory system composed of a network of tubules connected to flame cells that function in the expulsion of waste through excretory pores.

The nervous system consists of two lateral nerve cords and a pair of cerebral ganglia at the anterior end. However, flatworms lack both circulatory and respiratory systems. Instead, they rely on diffusion for gas exchange. Flatworms do possess both male and female reproductive organs within a single individual, meaning they are hermaphroditic and thus exhibit internal fertilization.

Some species also exhibit asexual reproduction through fission.