Question

Analogous organs have arisen in the evolutionary process through
A. Recombination
B. Mutation
C. Hybridization
D. Adaptation

Answer 1

Hint: Analogous organs are organs developed as a result of natural selection. This is seen in several unrelated species having organs that perform a similar function to survive in the given environment but have not evolved from a common ancestral species.

Complete step by step answer: Several organisms have adapted over the years to survive in a specific habitat in such a way as to increase their chances of survival. Adaptation is different from evolution, as it is much faster and does not drastically influence the genetic backbone. Analogous organs are organs that serve a similar function but have not morphological, embryonic or paleontological similarity. In other words, these are organs that have been adapted by different organisms to perform the same function.

The most frequently used example for analogous organs would be the wings of an insect and that of a fly. Both these organs help the organism fly, which is essential to catch prey, feed, and even escape from predators. Even though they serve the same function, they have not evolved from the same origin.
Birds were once flightless reptiles which during the Jurassic period adapted to fly. That adaptation over years of natural selection has brought about an entirely new species of avian reptiles which have evolved into the birds that we know today.
Therefore the correct answer is option is D.

Note: Long-term adaptation along with natural selection can be considered as evolution. Recombination is the process by which variations are produced in a given species which is key for natural selection. Similarly, the mutation also brings about random changes that could bring about natural selection. Hybridization is a process where two different species are crossed to obtain a hybrid species. all these do not explain analogous organs as adaption does.