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Question #46435
The Question
Which of the following statements accurately synthesizes the evolutionary mechanics behind the development of wings in butterflies and birds, or flippers in penguins and dolphins?
Options
- A.
They represent convergent evolution, where identical environmental selection pressures drive directional selection toward similar functional phenotypes in lineages with distinct developmental origins.
- B.
They are products of divergent evolution, where homologous genetic blueprints are modified by identical environmental pressures to produce similar phenotypic traits.
- C.
They illustrate adaptive radiation, where unrelated species in the same habitat undergo stabilizing selection to maintain functionally similar structures from a common ancestor.
- D.
They arise from divergent ancestry, where different environmental pressures induce disruptive selection, creating anatomically distinct but functionally identical traits.
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
Wings of Butterfly|Wings of Bird|Natural Selection Directionality
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students easily memorize 'Analogous = Convergent' but often fail to integrate this with the mechanisms of Natural Selection.
The trap lies in distinguishing between the 'divergent ancestry' (distinct anatomical origins) and the 'convergent evolutionary trajectory' driven by 'directional selection' toward a shared environmental optimum.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Analogous Organ Structure |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |