AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When two or more organs or structures are basically similar to each other in construction but are modified to perform different functions, they are said to be serially homologous. An example of this is a bat’s wing and a whale’s flipper.

Detailed explanation-2: -Whales, bats, cheetah and human share similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs. Though these forelimbs perform different functions in these animals, they have similar anatomical structure – all of them have humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges in their forelimbs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Homologous organs – Forelimbs of man, cat, bat and whale are homologous organs.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hint: Homologous structure of the organs or any other skeletal elements are the organs which have basic structural design and origin, but they have different in function, similarly the forelimbs of whales, bats and humans and cheetah are considered as homologous organs.

Detailed explanation-5: -A common example of homologous structures in evolutionary biology are the wings of bats and the arms of primates. Although these two structures do not look similar or have the same function, genetically, they come from the same structure of the last common ancestor.