NEET BIOLOGY

GENETICS AND EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Which are the best examples of homologous structures?
A
Wisdom teeth and whale’s hipbones
B
A human appendix and tailbone
C
An insect’s wing and a bat’s wing
D
A whale’s flipper and a bat’s wing
Explanation: 

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: -An example of homologous structures are the limbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats. Regardless of whether it is an arm, leg, flipper or wing, these structures are built upon the same bone structure. Homologies are the result of divergent evolution.

Detailed explanation-3: -Interestingly, though bird and bat wings are analogous as wings, as forelimbs they are homologous. Birds and bats did not inherit wings from a common ancestor with wings, but they did inherit forelimbs from a common ancestor with forelimbs.

Detailed explanation-4: -The arm of a human, the wing of a bird or a bat, the leg of a dog and the flipper of a dolphin or whale are homologous structures. They are different and have a different purpose, but they are similar and share common traits.

Detailed explanation-5: -The correct answer is (B) Bat wing and human hand. Homologous structures are similar structures that arise through divergent evolution from a common evolutionary ancestor.

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