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Can you think of any homologous structures? Think of any two organisms and name one trait they have in common.

a) Bird wings and bat wings (both have similar bone structures).
b) Shark fins and octopus arms (both are used for propulsion).
c) Pine trees and oak trees (both produce cones).
d) Snakes and spiders (both have a segmented body structure).

User SanV
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Final Answer:

a) Bird wings and bat wings (both have similar bone structures).

Step-by-step explanation:

a) **Bird wings and bat wings:** Bird wings and bat wings are homologous structures because they share a common evolutionary origin despite being adapted for different functions. Both structures exhibit similar bone structures, emphasizing their common ancestry. The bones in the wings, such as the humerus, radius, and ulna, have comparable arrangements, highlighting their homology. While birds and bats use their wings for flight, the presence of homologous structures suggests that their wings evolved from a common ancestor with forelimbs adapted for a different purpose.

b) **Shark fins and octopus arms:** Shark fins and octopus arms are not homologous structures. While both are used for propulsion, they have different evolutionary origins and structures. Shark fins are composed of cartilage, whereas octopus arms are soft and muscular. The similarities in function (propulsion) arise from convergent evolution, where unrelated organisms develop analogous structures in response to similar environmental pressures.

c) **Pine trees and oak trees:** Pine trees and oak trees do not possess homologous structures. While both produce cones, their reproductive structures differ significantly. Pine trees have cones that contain seeds, whereas oak trees have acorns as their reproductive structures. The commonality in producing cones is an example of an analogous structure, where similar functions arise independently in different evolutionary lineages.

d) **Snakes and spiders:** Snakes and spiders do not share homologous structures. Snakes have a vertebrate, segmented body structure, while spiders have an exoskeleton and a cephalothorax-abdomen body plan. The similarities in segmentation are not due to homology but rather result from convergent evolution, where different lineages develop analogous features for similar functions.

User Underrun
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