Question

Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly but birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution means that

• A. Reptiles have evolved from birds
• B. There is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds
• C. Features are homologous structures in both the organisms
• D. Birds have evolved from reptiles

Answer 1

The correct option is D Birds have evolved from reptiles

Here, evolution means that birds have evolved from reptiles both mammals and birds evolved from reptiles, though not the same ones - mammals evolved from the mammal-like reptiles, whilst birds evolved from dinosaurs. Some people maintain that birds actually are dinosaurs, but this is not the case they have evolved into different animals from their ancestors. Dinosaurs were reptiles, belonging to the class Reptilia, whilst birds belong to their own class, Aves. There is nothing odd or surprising in them evolving into a different class of animal to their ancestors certain fish evolved into amphibians, certain amphibians evolved into reptiles, and certain reptiles evolved into birds and mammals.

So, the correct answer is option D.