Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question consists of two statements regarding animal body symmetry, cephalization, and excretory systems. We need to determine the validity of both statements.
Step 2: Key Concepts and Approach:
We evaluate the evolutionary advantages of bilateral symmetry and cephalization.
We then look at the body cavity structure of animals that possess flame cells (Platyhelminthes).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
• Statement I: Bilateral symmetry allows animals to divide their bodies into distinct left and right halves.
This body plan is closely linked to cephalization, which concentrates sensory organs and nervous tissues at the anterior (head) end.
Cephalization allows animals to sense and respond to their environment more efficiently as they move forward. Thus, Statement I is true.
• Statement II: Flame cells (protonephridia) are specialized excretory and osmoregulatory cells.
They are characteristic of Platyhelminthes (flatworms).
Flatworms are triploblastic but lack a fluid-filled body cavity (coelom) between the gut and body wall.
Instead, this space is filled with parenchyma tissue. Thus, flatworms are acoelomate, making Statement II true.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Both Statement I and Statement II are biologically correct.