Question

Differentiate between divergent and convergent evolution. Give one example of each. [3]

Answer 1

[1 mark for each point]
$\begin{array}{cc}\text{Divergent Evolution}& \text{Convergent Evolution}\\ \text{(i) It occurs when two different}& \text{(i) It occurs when two different}\\ \text{species share a common ancestor}& \text{species do not share a common}\\ \text{but have different characterictics}& \text{ancestor but have developed similar}\\ \text{from one another.}& \text{characteristics.}\\ \text{(ii) It is supported by the homologous}& \text{(ii) It is supported by the analogous}\\ \text{structures.}& \text{structures.}\\ \text{(iii) e.g. Whales, bats, cheetah and}& \text{(iii) e.g. Wings of insect, bats}\\ \text{human share simi-larities in the}& \text{and birds are a result of}\\ \text{pattern of bones of forelimbs.}& \text{convergent evolution.}\end{array}$