Placozoan evolutionary relationships to other animals are currently unclear, and different phylogenies can be created, depending on the character used to infer relatedness. Sponges have no tissues, but about 20 cell types. Tp (Trichoplax adhaerens) produces a neuropeptide almost identical to one found in cnidarians. The genome of Tp, though the smallest of any known animal, shares many features of complex eumetazoan (even human!) genomes. The next three questions refer to the phylogenetic trees that follow.
I.
II.
III.
-Cycliophorans have two types of larvae. One type of larva-the Prometheus larva-develops into a male. The male, which lacks a digestive system, attaches to the outside of a feeding stage (a female)and impregnates her digestive system, which develops into a different type of larva. What must be true of the digestive system of the feeding-stage female while she is still a virgin?
1)At least some of its cells are haploid.
2)It consists only of highly specialized cells.
3)It is the same size as the male.
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 3 only
D) 1 and 3
E) 2 and 3

Question

Placozoan evolutionary relationships to other animals are currently unclear, and different phylogenies can be created, depending on the character used to infer relatedness. Sponges have no tissues, but about 20 cell types. Tp (Trichoplax adhaerens) produces a neuropeptide almost identical to one found in cnidarians. The genome of Tp, though the smallest of any known animal, shares many features of complex eumetazoan (even human!) genomes. The next three questions refer to the phylogenetic trees that follow.
I.  
II.  
III. 
-Cycliophorans have two types of larvae. One type of larva-the Prometheus larva-develops into a male. The male, which lacks a digestive system, attaches to the outside of a feeding stage (a female)and impregnates her digestive system, which develops into a different type of larva. What must be true of the digestive system of the feeding-stage female while she is still a virgin?
1)At least some of its cells are haploid.
2)It consists only of highly specialized cells.
3)It is the same size as the male.
A) 1 only 
B) 2 only 
C) 3 only 
D) 1 and 3 
E) 2 and 3

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The digestive system of the feeding-stage female must have at least some haploid cells because these cells will develop into a different type of larva after impregnation, indicating a reproductive role for these cells.

Placozoan Evolutionary Relationships to Other Animals Are Currently Unclear, and Different