What are tapeworm segments that can reproduce independently called?

The correct answer is proglottids. Proglottids are the segments of a tapeworm that contain both male and female reproductive structures, allowing them to reproduce independently. Each proglottid can detach from the main body of the tapeworm and can carry fertilized eggs that are released into the environment, thereby facilitating the tapeworm's life cycle.

Understanding the role of proglottids is essential in studying parasitology and the life cycles of various parasitic organisms. This aspect of tapeworm anatomy highlights their complex reproductive strategies and their ability to proliferate within a host or through the environment.