Among the following sets of examples for divergent evolution, select the incorrect option.
- Forelimbs of man, bat and cheetah
- Heart of bat, man and cheetah
- Brain of bat, man and cheetah
- Eye of octopus, bat and man
Answer
(4) Eye of octopus, bat and man
Solution
As per NCERT, the forelimbs, heart and brain of vertebrates (bat, man, cheetah) are homologous structures; they represent divergent evolution.
The eye of the octopus (a mollusc) and of mammals perform the same function but are not anatomically similar; NCERT gives them as an example of analogous structures, i.e., convergent evolution.
Eye of octopus, bat and man is the incorrect example of divergent evolution.
Answer: (4)