Hearts of Pheretima connect 

Options

A. a. 2 dorsal blood vessels
B. b. dorsal and lateral oesophageal vessels
C. c. 2 lateral oesophageal vessels
D. d. dorsal and ventral blood vessels

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Organism**: The question refers to "Pheretima," which is commonly known as the earthworm. Understanding that Pheretima is an earthworm is crucial for answering the question correctly.

2. **Understand the Circulatory System**: Earthworms have a closed circulatory system. This means that the blood is contained within vessels and does not flow freely in the body cavity.

3. **Locate the Hearts**: Earthworms possess five pairs of hearts (or aortic arches) that are tubular in structure. These hearts are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.

4. **Identify the Types of Blood Vessels**: In earthworms, blood vessels are categorized into two types based on their location:
- **Lateral Blood Vessels**: These are located on the sides of the body.
- **Ventral Blood Vessels**: This vessel runs along the belly side of the earthworm.

5. **Position of the Hearts**: The hearts in earthworms are positioned in specific segments:
- The **lateral hearts** are found in segments 7 and 9.
- The **lateral esophageal hearts** are located in segments 12 and 13.

6. **Connections Made by the Hearts**: The hearts of the earthworm connect the lateral blood vessels to the ventral blood vessels. This connection allows for the circulation of blood throughout the body.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the hearts of Pheretima connect the dorsal (lateral) and ventral blood vessels, facilitating the closed circulatory system of the earthworm.

**Final Answer**: The hearts of Pheretima connect the dorsal and ventral blood vessels.

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