Question

Identify the odd pair among the following:

• A. Nails of human and claws of cat
• B. Ginger and potato
• C. Wings of bat and bird
• D. Leaves of cactus and pitcher plant

Answer 1

The correct option is D Leaves of cactus and pitcher plant

Organs which have different origins and dissimilar fundamental structures and yet, perform similar functions are known as analogous organs. The nails of a human and the claws of a cat are structurally different and yet, perform similar functions like scratching, tearing, etc. Both ginger and potato are underground stem modifications with storage tissues but structurally, ginger is a rhizome and potato is a tuber. The wings of a bird and a bat are structurally different; however, both of them, use their wings for flight. Thus, these are all examples of analogous organs. The cactus leaves are modified into small spines, which reduce water loss and can protect the cactus from plant-eaters, while the pitcher plant uses its leaves to trap and digest insects. Thus, although structurally they are leaves, they are functionally modified for different purposes and are hence, homologous structures.