EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The major part of the tapeworm is called strobila and it consists of segments, proglottids. They each contain both male and female reproductive organs. Tapeworms do not have a digestive tract.

Detailed explanation-2: -The adult tapeworm is made up of many small segments, called proglottids, each about the size of a grain of rice. Adult tapeworms may measure 4-28 inches in length. As the tapeworm matures inside the intestine, these segments (proglottids) break off and pass into the stool.

Detailed explanation-3: -Proglottids are the segments of the tapeworm that contain the reproductive organs, both male and female.

Detailed explanation-4: -The scolex contains organs which facilitate attachment to the host tissue. Examples of this include suckers or hooks. The neck contains germinal cells which can give rise to new proglottids. Proglottids are individual segments of the strobilus and contain reproductive organs of both sexes.

Detailed explanation-5: -The sum of the proglottids is called a strobila, which is thin and resembles a strip of tape; from this is derived the common name “tapeworm". Proglottids are continually being produced by the neck region of the scolex, as long as the scolex is attached and alive.