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Question

In convergent evolution, organisms share physical similarities that can be seen because they

A
have a common ancestor
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B
live in the similar environment towards the same function
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C
develop homologous structures
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D
live in the similar environment towards different function
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Solution

The correct option is B live in the similar environment towards the same function
The process of evolution in which two species, not related to each other by common ancestry, develop similar characteristics due to similarity in their habitats is known as convergent evolution. Analogous organs are a product of convergent evolution. Analogous organs refer to the organs present in different organisms with different basic structures and origins that evolve in such a way so as to perform the same function due to the similarity in their habitat. For example - fishes and whales are aquatic animals which belong to different classes of the animal kingdom. Fins of fishes and flippers of whales thus have completely different basic structures but they perform the same function of helping the animals swim in water.


On the contrary, homologous organs are those organs which have a common ancestral origin. These are similar in basic structures but perform different functions. The same structures develop along different directions in different organisms due to their adaptations to separate needs because of their different habitats. This type of evolution is called divergent evolution. Hence, homologous organs are the products of divergent evolution. For example - whales, bats, cheetahs and humans are mammals that have similarities in the pattern of arrangement of bones in their forelimbs but these organs perform different functions in these animals. Forelimbs of bats are modified to wings for flying, in whales they are modified to flippers for swimming, in cheetahs they are modified to front legs for walking/running and in humans they appear hands which help in holding or lifting things.


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