Question

Bats and cats both have forelimbs adapted for moving. Whales (mammals) and sharks (fish) have fins adapted for swimming. What term best describes the relationship of the bones in the forelimbs of bats and cats, and what term best describes the fins of whales and sharks?

Answer 1

1. Bats and cats: Homology

2. Whales and sharks: Analogy

Step-by-step explanation:

In Biology, homology refers to the similarity of features from different species of organisms that share a common ancestor. This is the opposite of analogy, which refers to a feature that has a similar function but is not derived from a common ancestor.

In this case, bats and cats have forelimbs adapted for locomotion. This is a case of homologous characters because they both are descendants of tetrapods - four-limbed animals. Therefore, even though cats and bats look completely different, they both share a similar feature: forelimbs, a characteristic feature from their common early mammalian ancestors.

On the other hand, whales (mammals) and sharks (fish) do not share a common ancestor. So, the fins are analogous structures: both have a similar function because both have adapted to an aquatic environment but they have completely separate evolutionary origins.