Question

method of producing offspring in which fertilized eggs are retained in the female, and the embryo obtains its nourishment from the egg’s yolk. the eggs are retained inside the female’s body until they hatch inside the body, or the female lays the eggs right before they hatch. this occurs in some snakes and sharks.

○ oviparity

○ ovoviparity

○ homoparity

○ viviparity

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each term:

• Oviparity: Females lay fertilized eggs, and development occurs outside the body (e.g., birds). This does not match the description.
• Ovoviviparity: Fertilized eggs are retained inside the female’s body. The embryo gets nourishment from the egg’s yolk, and eggs either hatch inside the body or are laid just before hatching (seen in some snakes, sharks). This matches the given description.
• Homoparity: Not a standard term for reproductive methods in biology.
• Viviparity: Embryo develops inside the female, nourished by the mother (e.g., mammals). This does not match as the embryo here uses the egg’s yolk.

Answer:

B. ovoviparity