Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, these bones having developed from the same embyronic tissues. how do bioloigsts interpret these similarities?

Question

Biology

Tabitha Richard

7 August, 17:17

Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, these bones having developed from the same embyronic tissues. how do bioloigsts interpret these similarities?

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Answers (1)

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Chuckles · Answer 1

Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, these bones having developed from the same embyronic tissues. how do bioloigsts interpret these similarities?

a) by identifying the bones as being homologous structures

b) by the principle of convergent evolution

c) by proposing that humans, bats, and dolphins share a common ancestor

Answer:

a) by identifying the bones as being homologous structures

c) by proposing that humans, bats, and dolphins share a common ancestor

Explanation:

Human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers perform the function of holding objects, flying and swimming respectively. The presence of some of the same bones in these functionally diverse structures represent the common ancestry of humans, bats, and dolphins. However, forearms in these organisms were modified by the process of divergent evolution to perform different functions. These structures are homologous structures as they have some of the same bones but perform different functions.