'Mammals and birds have evolved from reptiles'. In what way does a comparative study of their embryology establish the validity of this statement?

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Solution

Archaeopteryx is more similar to small theropod dinosaurs than it is to modern birds. However, the evolutionary history of Archaeopteryx has never been that simple. Mammals evolved from a group of reptiles called the synapsids. These reptiles arose during the Pennsylvanian Period (310 to 275 million years ago). A branch of the synapsids called the therapsids appeared by the middle of the Permian Period (275 to 225 million years ago). So we concluded that both birds and mammals were evolved from reptiles.

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Q. Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly. Birds have feathers that help them to fly. Identify the correct statement based on this information.

Statement 1: Reptiles have evolved from birds

Statement 2: There is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds.

Statement 3: Birds have evolved from reptiles

Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly and birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution, this means that :
(a) reptiles have evolved from birds
(b) there is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds
(c) feathers are homologous structures in both the organisms
(d) birds have evolved from reptiles

Q. (i) Planaria, insects, octopus and vertebrates all have eyes. Can we group eyes of these animals together to establish a common evolutionary origin? Justify your answer. (ii) "Birds have evolved from reptiles" State evidence to prove the statement.

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