Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following pairs is the best example of homologous structures?
A
The wing of a bat and the human arm
B
The wing of a butterfly and the wing of a bird
C
The eye of a squid and the eye of a human
D
The fin of a fish and the leg of a grasshopper
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of homologous structures: Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common evolutionary origin, even if their functions differ. These structures arise from a shared ancestor and often have similar underlying anatomy.
Analyze the first pair: The wing of a bat and the human arm. Both structures share a similar bone arrangement (humerus, radius, ulna, etc.) and originate from a common ancestor, even though their functions differ (flight vs. manipulation). This is a strong example of homologous structures.
Analyze the second pair: The wing of a butterfly and the wing of a bird. These structures perform similar functions (flight) but do not share a common evolutionary origin. Butterfly wings are made of chitin, while bird wings are composed of bones and feathers. These are analogous structures, not homologous.
Analyze the third pair: The eye of a squid and the eye of a human. While both eyes perform the same function (vision), they evolved independently and do not share a common anatomical origin. This is an example of convergent evolution, not homology.
Analyze the fourth pair: The fin of a fish and the leg of a grasshopper. These structures do not share a common evolutionary origin and serve very different functions. They are neither homologous nor analogous.