Question
Which of the following pairs of structures are analogous? a bat wing and dolphin flipper b hummingbird wing and seal flipper c horse leg and human forearm d insect wing and bird wing
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which pairs of structures are analogous, we need to understand that analogous structures are those that serve a similar function but evolved independently, whereas homologous structures have a common evolutionary origin.
Now, examining each pair:
a) Bat wing and dolphin flipper - **Not analogous** (these are homologous structures as they come from a common ancestor).
b) Hummingbird wing and seal flipper - **Not analogous** (hummingbird wings are adaptations for flight, while seal flippers are for swimming; they are not from a common ancestral structure).
c) Horse leg and human forearm - **Not analogous** (these are homologous structures as they share a common evolutionary origin).
d) Insect wing and bird wing - **Analogous** (these structures serve the same function of flight but evolved independently in insects and birds).
Therefore, the pair that is analogous is **d) insect wing and bird wing**.
Now, examining each pair:
a) Bat wing and dolphin flipper - **Not analogous** (these are homologous structures as they come from a common ancestor).
b) Hummingbird wing and seal flipper - **Not analogous** (hummingbird wings are adaptations for flight, while seal flippers are for swimming; they are not from a common ancestral structure).
c) Horse leg and human forearm - **Not analogous** (these are homologous structures as they share a common evolutionary origin).
d) Insect wing and bird wing - **Analogous** (these structures serve the same function of flight but evolved independently in insects and birds).
Therefore, the pair that is analogous is **d) insect wing and bird wing**.