Question

Serial homology is exhibited by?
A. Organs of the same individual occupying different levels of the body?
B. Organs of different organisms with the same function
C. Appendages of various parts of prawn body
D. Both A and C

Answer 1

Hint: In biology, homology means similarity because of shared ancestry between a pair of structures or genes in different taxa. Forelimbs of vertebrates, where the wings of bats and birds, the arms of the primates, the front flippers of the whales, and the forelegs of four-legged vertebrates like dogs and crocodiles, these are all derived from the same ancestral tetrapod structure and are a common example of homologous structures. Evolutionary biology explains that the homologous structures are adapted to different purposes as the result of descent with the modification from a common ancestor.

Complete answer: A special type of homology known as Serial Homology, which is defined by Owen as a representative or a repetitive relation in the segments of the same organism as in the lobster, where the parts follow each other in a straight line or series. Whereas Ernst Haeckel used the term "homotypy" for this phenomenon.
The development of forelimbs and hind limbs of tetrapods and the iterative structure of the vertebrae are some classical examples of serial homologies.

So, Option (A)- serial homology is exhibited by organs of the same individual occupying different levels of the body is a correct option.

Option (B) Organs of different organisms with the same function.
These are known as homologous organs. The presence of the homologous organs in different organisms indicates that they evolved from a common ancestor or their ancestor is the same.

Option (C) - Appendages of various parts of the prawn body is also a correct option because it is a classical example of serial homologies.

Thus, option (D) - Both A and C is the right answer.

Note: If derived from a common ancestor, similar biological structures or sequences in different taxa are homologous. Thus, Homology implies divergent evolution. For example, many insects (say dragonflies) possess the two pairs of flying wings. In beetles, the first pair of wings has been evolved into a pair of hard wing covers, while in Dipteran flies the second pair of wings has been evolved into small halters which are used for balance.