The structures of the front flipper of a whale and the forearm of a wolf have similar bone structures and are derived from a common ancestor. This is an example of which of the following?
Correct answer: C. Homologous structures
- A. Convergent evolution
- B. Analogous structures
- C. Homologous structures
- D. Bottleneck affect
Explanation
Organs that are similar in structure but differ in function are termed homologous organs. For example, the arm of a man, the flippers of a dolphin, the forelimb of a horse, and the wings of a bat are homologous to each other. All of these mammalian organs show internally that the skeletal plans are the same internally, like the same number and arrangement of bones, pentadactyl hand, etc., suggesting a common origin.
Last updated
About Evolution
Evolution describes heritable change in populations over generations through variation, natural selection and adaptation. Lamarckism explains inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwinism explains selection of favourable inherited variations; these historical explanations must not be confused with the modern genetic account of evolutionary change.
Practise Evolution
814 free Evolution MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Biology questions like this
Biology is on 6 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
Related questions
A change in the frequency of alleles that occurs by chance is called:
A gas absent during the pre-biotic environment was:
A gene pool is disturbed by which of the following?
A group of interbreeding individuals
A group of interbreeding individuals belonging to a particular species and sharing a common geographic area is called: