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Difficulty: EasyEvidence for Evolution: Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, and Vestigial Organs

The wing of a bird and the wing of a butterfly both enable flight, yet they possess completely different internal anatomies and embryonic origins. Which evolutionary term best describes these structures?

  1. Analogous structuresAnswer
  2. B
    Homologous structures
  3. C
    Vestigial organs
  4. D
    Atavistic structures

Answer

Analogous structures
The correct option is the one identifying these as analogous structures. Analogous structures perform similar biological functions—such as flight—in different species, but evolved independently in response to similar environmental challenges rather than from a common ancestor.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the functional relationship between the bird wing and the butterfly wing.
Both structures serve the primary function of powered flight.
Identifying shared function helps determine if structures show convergent or divergent evolutionary pathways.
2
Examine the anatomical design and developmental origin of both organs.
Bird wings contain an endoskeleton composed of bones, whereas butterfly wings consist of chitinous membranes supported by veins.
Different embryonic origins indicate that the structures did not arise from a shared common ancestor.
3
Classify the structures according to evolutionary comparative anatomy.
Structures that perform similar functions but have distinct evolutionary and developmental origins are classified as analogous structures.
Analogous structures illustrate convergent evolution resulting from similar selection pressures.

Key Concept

Analogous vs. Homologous Structures
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Topics

Evidence for Evolution: Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, and Vestigial Organs

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