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Flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are examples of:
Penguins (Aves) and Dolphins (Mammalia) belong to different vertebrate lineages. Their flippers have completely different anatomical structures and embryonic origins, but perform the same function (aquatic locomotion). Different origin + same function = Analogy = Convergent Evolution! Mark Option (2) in 5 seconds.
Organs which are anatomically different in structure and embryonic origin but perform similar functions are called analogous structures. Such similarity arises when different organisms adapt to similar habitats or ecological niches, which is termed convergent evolution.
The flippers of penguins (modified wings of birds) and dolphins (modified forelimbs of mammals) are structurally and phylogenetically distinct, yet both function as hydrofoils for swimming in water.
NCERT states explicitly: "Flippers of penguins and dolphins are examples of analogous organs resulting from convergent evolution."
Adaptive radiation leads to divergent evolution from a common ancestor (e.g. Darwin's finches, mammal forelimbs); industrial melanism is natural selection in Biston betularia.
Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.
Incorrect; adaptive radiation involves one ancestral lineage diversifying into many forms with homologous traits (divergent evolution).
Factually exact; unrelated lineages (birds and mammals) independently evolving swimming flippers is a classic case of convergent evolution.
Incorrect; industrial melanism describes directional natural selection in the peppered moth (Biston betularia) in response to soot pollution.
Incorrect; while natural selection is the broad driving force behind all adaptations, "convergent evolution" is the specific macroevolutionary pattern exemplified by analogous organs.
Homology = Divergent evolution (Same origin, different function: Human arm, cheetah leg, bat wing). Analogy = Convergent evolution (Different origin, same function: Penguin & Dolphin flippers, Eye of octopus & mammal).
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