What anatomical structures provide evidence of common ancestry because they share a fundamental skeletal layout despite serving divergent functional adaptations?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Homologous structures
- Step 1: Differentiate evolutionary anatomical relationships.
- Step 2: Homologous structures (e.g., human arm, bat wing, whale flipper) share a common ancestral anatomical blueprint derived from divergent evolution, even if adapted to different functions.
Answer
Homologous structures.
Why not the others: Analogous structures share functions via convergent evolution without common structural descent (e.g., bird wing vs butterfly wing); vestigial structures are degenerate remnants.
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