Question

The locomotion in Hydra takes place by
A. Walking
B. Floating and gliding
C. Looping and somersaulting
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Hydra is a genus of small freshwater organisms belonging to Phylum Cnidaria and class Hydrozoa. They are generally found in the Temperate and tropical regions. And occurs in freshwater. Hydra attach themselves to solid surfaces through stone, twig etc.

Complete answer:
Hydra has a radially symmetrical tubular body. At the free end of the body is a mouth opening surrounded by tentacles. Hydra has a diploblastic body. If a Hydra gets attacked then the tentacles get retracted to small buds as a reflex action and the body gets retracted into a gelatinous sphere. Hydra are generally sedentary but move during hunting. They move by two distinct methods:- looping and somersaulting. By this process a Hydra can move to several inches in a day.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
In a looping method they bend over and attach themselves to the substrate with their mouth and tentacles and then relocate their foot, which gives them the usual movement. In somersaulting the body bends over and attaches itself to a new place by it’s foot. In this coordinated way the Hydra moves forward. Hydra also moves by amoeboid movement or by detaching itself from the substrate and flowing in the current. They reproduce asexually by budding. The buds form on the body of hydra, then it matures and detaches itself from the parent body and grows independently. When conditions are harsh, often before winter or in poor feeding conditions, sexual reproduction occurs in some Hydra. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates like cyclops.

Note: Hydra is a small freshwater invertebrate. It consists of a thin, usually translucent tube that is measured upto thirty millimeters long but capable of contraction. One hydra can live for about ten thousand years, they do not die soon because of their regenerative ability.