Q.38 Which of the following pairs is/are analogous structures?
(A) Human hands and bat wings (B) Butterfly wings and bat wings
(C) Bat wings and bird wings (D) Dolphin flippers and fish fins
Analogous structures are body parts in different species that serve similar functions but evolved independently due to convergent evolution, not from a shared ancestor. This SEO-optimized guide analyzes the MCQ on analogous structure pairs, identifies correct answers, and explains each option for biology students and researchers.
Correct Answer
The analogous structure pairs are (B) Butterfly wings and bat wings, (C) Bat wings and bird wings, and (D) Dolphin flippers and fish fins. These exhibit similar functions like flight or swimming but differ in underlying anatomy and evolutionary origin, resulting from convergent evolution.
Option Analysis
(A) Human Hands and Bat Wings
Human hands and bat wings are homologous structures, not analogous. Both derive from a common mammalian ancestor with the same pentadactyl limb plan—elongated fingers in bats support flight, while human fingers enable grasping.
(B) Butterfly Wings and Bat Wings
Butterfly wings (insect exoskeleton modifications) and bat wings (mammalian skin stretched over elongated fingers) are analogous. They enable flight but evolved separately in invertebrates and vertebrates.
(C) Bat Wings and Bird Wings
Bat wings and bird wings represent analogous structures for flight. Bats use finger-supported membranes, while birds have feathered arms; both adaptations arose independently in mammals and birds.
(D) Dolphin Flippers and Fish Fins
Dolphin flippers (mammalian forelimbs) and fish fins (ray-supported) are analogous for aquatic locomotion. They streamline swimming but stem from different vertebrate lineages.
Key Takeaways
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Analogous structures highlight convergent evolution, where environmental pressures drive similar adaptations in unrelated species.
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Distinguish from homologous structures, which share ancestry despite functional differences.
