How do Platyhelminthes reproduce?

• A. Asexually by regeneration or sexually as hermaphrodites
• B. Budding only
• C. Binary fission only
• D. Parthenogenesis only

Answer: (A)

Platyhelminthes reproduce by both asexual and sexual means. They can reproduce asexually through regeneration after fragmentation, and in some species by transverse fission, effectively splitting into two individuals that then rebuild missing parts. For sexual reproduction, these flatworms are typically hermaphroditic, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs and can exchange sperm with a partner to produce fertilized eggs. This dual capability—regeneration-based asexual growth and hermaphroditic sexual reproduction—best explains how they reproduce overall. Budding, binary fission, or parthenogenesis alone don’t capture the full range of their reproductive strategies.