Question

Analogous structures are a result of?
A. Divergent evolution
B. Convergent evolution
C. Shared ancestry
D. Stabilizing selection

Answer 1

Hint: The structures which have the same function but are evolved from a common ancestor are known as analogous structures. They are the result of the convergent evolution that different organisms have shared a common environment.

Complete answer:
The independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages is described by the convergent evolution. The function of the two species came to the same, i.e., flying, but they did so separately from each other. They have "converged" on this trait.

> Option (A)-Divergent evolution
Divergent evolution is also known as the divergent selection is the accumulation of differences between closely related populations within a species, which leads to speciation.

> Option (B) Convergent evolution
The independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time is known as convergent evolution. This evolution creates analogous structures that have a similar form or similar functions but were not present in the last common ancestor of those groups.

> Option (C) Common descent
The common ancestry of a particular group of organisms is known as common descent. Common descent is a term of evolutionary biology. When two organisms share a recent common ancestor, they are said to be closely related.

> Option (D) Stabilizing selection
Stabilizing is a descriptive term that is used for what actually happens to an individual trait when the extremes of the trait are selected against. The frequency of the trait in the population gets increased due to this selection and also increases the alleles and genes which help in the formation of this.

Hence, The correct answer is option (B).

Note: The similar structures that evolved independently in two living organisms for serving the same purpose are known as analogous structures. The term “analogous structures” came from the root word “analogy,” that is a device in the English language where two different things are based on their similarities.