Question

Which of the following are the peculiar characteristics of Planaria?
A. Metamorphosis
B. Regeneration
C. Alternation of generation
D. Bioluminescence

Answer 1

Hint: Planaria belongs to the class of Platyhelminthes and the common name of this class is the flatworms. The flatworms are known to reproduce with the help of sexual as well as the asexual means depending upon the conditions and the requirements.

Complete answer:
We know that Planaria is a parasite belonging to the class of Platyhelminthes. The other common name of this class is the flatworms because they possess a dorsoventrally flattened body. The flatworms have a special characteristic due to which it can repair and regrow any wounded part of its body and this process is known as regeneration.
Also, if we discuss about the reproduction in the flatworms these organisms are known to reproduce via both sexual and asexual means. In sexual means the fertilization occurs inside the female and the cocoon eggs are released by the females. In the asexual method if we talk about, the adult flatworm gets into the intestine of host and there it utilizes the pre digested food and breaks itself into two part and then through the method of regeneration it grows easily.
The metamorphosis is a way in which the larva develops into adults after passing certain stages of life cycle. Though, the flatworms show both asexual and sexual modes of reproduction but they do not undergo alteration of generation and the reproduction of the flatworm is dependent upon the conditions and the requirements.
Bioluminescence requires the presence of pigments inside the body but the pigments responsible for producing light are not there inside the flatworms.

Therefore, the correct answer is the Option B, regeneration.

Note:
Alternation of generation is a process in which the next generation do not follow the reproduction method of the parents. If parents reproduce via sexual mode than the offspring will reproduce via asexual mode of reproduction.