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Which of the following organisms does NOT show asexual reproduction by means of fission?
Plasmodium
Earthworm
Amoeba
Leishmania
Earthworm
Earthworms do NOT show asexual reproduction by means of fission. Earthworms are segmented worms (phylum Annelida) and typically reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites, whereas Amoeba, Leishmania, and Plasmodium reproduce asexually through various forms of fission (binary or multiple fission).
Earthworms do NOT show asexual reproduction by means of fission. Earthworms are segmented worms (phylum Annelida) and typically reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites, whereas Amoeba, Leishmania, and Plasmodium reproduce asexually through various forms of fission (binary or multiple fission).
Think of single-celled organisms like photocopiers duplicating themselves by splitting right down the middle (fission), whereas earthworms are complex multicellular animals that require two individuals to mate and produce cocoons sexually.
Remember 'PAL' for fission: Plasmodium, Amoeba, Leishmania all divide by fission! Earthworms belong to Annelida and reproduce sexually.
Fission is a type of asexual reproduction where a single parent organism divides into two or more independent offspring. Amoeba undergoes binary fission, Leishmania undergoes binary fission in a definite orientation, and Plasmodium undergoes multiple fission (schizogony). Earthworms possess complex organ systems and reproduce via sexual reproduction (cross-fertilization between two hermaphroditic individuals).
Fission is an asexual mode of reproduction common in single-celled organisms.
Amoeba reproduces via irregular binary fission.
Leishmania reproduces via binary fission along a definite orientation due to a whip-like flagellum.
Plasmodium (malarial parasite) reproduces via multiple fission during adverse conditions.
Earthworms are bisexual invertebrates belonging to Phylum Annelida that reproduce sexually.
Understanding modes of reproduction in unicellular vs multicellular organisms
Study of parasitic life cycles (Plasmodium)
| Feature | Amoeba / Leishmania | Earthworm |
|---|---|---|
Reproduction Type | Asexual (Binary Fission) | Sexual Reproduction |
Amoeba shows simple binary fission in any plane.
Leishmania shows binary fission in a definite plane associated with its whip-like structure.
Plasmodium forms multiple daughter cells inside a cyst through multiple fission.
B is correct тАФ Earthworms do not show asexual reproduction by fission; they reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites.
Questions frequently test examples of binary fission (Amoeba, Paramecium, Leishmania) vs multiple fission (Plasmodium) vs fragmentation/regeneration (Planaria, Spirogyra).