Question

Which of the following statements best describes what the homologous structures tell us about the evolutionary history of these species?

Whales, bats, and cats share a common ancestor.

Whales, bats, and cats are all part of the same animal family.

Whales, bats, and cats come from very different ancestors.

Whales, bats, and cats recently diverged on the evolutionary tree.

Answer 1

Whales, bats, and cats share a common ancestor.

Homologous structures are similar anatomical features inherited from a common ancestor (e.g., the forelimb bones of mammals), even though they may have been modified for different functions. This does not necessarily mean they are in the same family or that they diverged recently.