Which of the following are homologous organs?[2002]a)Wings of birds and locustb)Wings of birds (sparrow) and pectoral fins of fishc)Wings of bat and butterflyd)Legs of frog and cockroachCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Homologous organs are the organs which have the same origin and similar basic structure but may differ in external appearance and function; wings of birds and pectoral fins of fish are an example of the same.

Answer

Homologus organs are those which have same origin and these represent divergent evolution, where as analogous organs are those in which different organs modified to to facilitate the same function and hence analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution.
1.wings of bird and locust have a common function that is for flying they represent analogous structures . 2.wings of bat and butterfly are also analogous structure because they have same function of flying.

3.legs of frog and cockroaches are also analogous is structures they help in walking.
4.wings of birds and pectoral fins of fish are the modifications of fore limbs, so they represent homologus structures, wings help in flying where as pectoral fins help in swimming....

Answer

B

Answer

Homologous organs are those that have a similar basic structure or origin but may have different functions in different organisms. They are evidence of common ancestry and evolution. In the given options, the homologous organs are:

b) Wings of birds (sparrow) and pectoral fins of fish

Explanation:
- The wings of birds and the pectoral fins of fish are homologous organs because they share a similar basic structure. They both have a similar skeletal framework with bones or cartilage and are used for locomotion in their respective environments.
- Both the wings of birds and the pectoral fins of fish have a similar underlying structure, consisting of bones or cartilage connected by joints. This similarity suggests a common ancestor that had a similar appendage structure.
- Although birds and fish have different modes of locomotion (flying for birds and swimming for fish), the basic structure of their wings and pectoral fins is similar. This similarity is due to their shared ancestry and evolutionary history.
- The wings of birds and the pectoral fins of fish also have similar developmental patterns. During embryonic development, both structures undergo similar processes, such as the formation of limb buds and the growth of skeletal elements.
- Despite their similar structure, the wings of birds and the pectoral fins of fish have undergone modifications to suit their specific functions. Birds have feathers and specialized muscles that enable flight, while fish have fin rays and muscles that enable swimming.
- The homology between the wings of birds and the pectoral fins of fish is an example of divergent evolution, where a common ancestral structure has diverged in function but retained a similar underlying structure.
- It is important to note that the other options given (a, c, and d) do not represent homologous organs because they either belong to different animal groups (birds and locust, bat and butterfly) or have different structures and functions (legs of frog and cockroach).

Top Courses for NEETView all

Biology Class 11

Daily Test for NEET Preparation

NEET Mock Test Series 2025

Topic-wise MCQ Tests for NEET

Physics Class 11

Top Courses for NEET

Top Courses for NEET

Suggested Free Tests

Related Content

About NEET

NEET Preparation Material

How to Prepare for NEET Exam?

NCERT Based Study Material

NEET Mock Tests

Other Popular Exams

Company