In which animal both intracellular and intercellular digestion occurs

Options

A. Hydra
B. Earthworm
C. Nematode
D. Paramecium

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Digestion Types:**
- Digestion can occur in two main forms: intracellular and extracellular.
- Intracellular digestion occurs inside the cells, while extracellular digestion occurs outside the cells.

2. **Identifying the Organisms:**
- The question asks which animal exhibits both types of digestion.
- The options provided are Hydra, Earthworm, Nematode, and Paramecium.

3. **Analyzing Each Option:**
- **Hydra:**
- Belongs to the class Hydrozoa.
- Digestion occurs in two phases:
- Extracellular digestion occurs first in the gastrovascular cavity.
- Intracellular digestion follows as the nutrients are absorbed by the cells lining the cavity.
- Therefore, Hydra exhibits both types of digestion.

- **Earthworm:**
- Primarily exhibits extracellular digestion.
- Digestion occurs in a specialized digestive system but does not have significant intracellular digestion.
- Thus, it does not fulfill the criteria.

- **Nematode:**
- Also primarily exhibits extracellular digestion.
- Digestion occurs in the gut and does not involve significant intracellular processes.
- Hence, it does not meet the requirement.

- **Paramecium:**
- A unicellular organism that primarily performs intracellular digestion.
- It does not have a system for extracellular digestion.
- Therefore, it is not the correct answer.

4. **Conclusion:**
- After analyzing all options, the only organism that exhibits both intracellular and extracellular digestion is **Hydra**.

**Final Answer:** The animal in which both intracellular and intercellular digestion occurs is **Hydra**.

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