NEETZoologyEvolution
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Sweet potato and potato are examples of homologous structures resulting from divergent evolution. Reason (R): Sweet potato is a modified root and potato is a modified stem, but both perform the similar function of food storage. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answe
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is incorrect
- D(A) is incorrect but (R) is correct
Correct answer
D. (A) is incorrect but (R) is correct
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is incorrect because sweet potato and potato are examples of analogous structures, not homologous structures. They represent convergent evolution, where different anatomical structures evolve to perform the same function. Reason (R) is correct because sweet potato is a root modification and potato is a stem modification. They have different anatomical origins but perform the similar function of food storage, which is the defining feature of analogous structures. Therefore, (A) is incorrect but (R) is