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Question #46205
The Question
Which of the following statements regarding the evolutionary progression of the notochord and its relationship to tetrapod adaptive radiation is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
In adult mammals, the embryonic notochord is entirely replaced by the bony vertebral column, leaving no embryonic remnants in the adult axial skeleton.
- B.
The evolutionary transition from a continuous notochord to an articulated vertebral column provided the biomechanical scaffold essential for the divergent adaptive radiation of pentadactyl limbs.
- C.
The structural homology of the forelimbs in whales, bats, and cheetahs represents divergent evolution, which is mechanically supported by a shared axial skeletal blueprint.
- D.
The persistence of the notochord in the embryonic stage of all tetrapods, followed by its reduction, serves as fundamental embryological evidence for chordate common ancestry.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Notochord|Pentadactyl_Limb|Vestigial_Structures
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often over-extrapolate the NCERT line 'Notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult' to mean absolute obliteration.
The trap relies on the absolute phrasing 'leaving no embryonic remnants', testing the NCERT-Plus knowledge that the nucleus pulposus is the direct evolutionary and embryological remnant of the notochord in mammals.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Animal Kingdom - Class 11 |
| Concept | Evolutionary Notochord Progression |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |