- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Zoology
- Chapter
- Evolution
NEET · Zoology · Evolution
What is an example of analogous structures in plants?
Options
- AThorn of Bougainvillea and tendril of Cucurbita
- BLeaf structure in different types of plants
- CRoot modifications in various plants
- DFlower petals in different species
Correct answer
A. Thorn of Bougainvillea and tendril of Cucurbita
Step-by-step solution
The thorn of Bougainvillea and the tendril of Cucurbita are examples of analogous structures in plants, as they serve similar functions despite their different anatomical structures. Hence, analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution - different structures evolving for the same function and hence having similarity. Other examples of analogy are the eye of the octopus and of mammals or the flippers of Penguins and Dolphins. One can say that it is the similar habitat that has resulted in selection of similar adaptive features in different groups of organisms but toward the same function: Sweet potato (root modification) and potato (stem modification) is another example for analogy. In the same line of argument, similarities in proteins and genes performing a given function among diverse organisms give clues to common ancestry. These biochemical similarities point to the same shared ancestry as structural similarities among diverse organisms.