Biology 2011 JAMB Past Questions - Question 50: The wings of a bat and those of a bird are examples of

Correct Answer

B

Explanation

This is evolution which shows that organisms from the same ancestral stock or parent have similar structures (homologous) which have been modified to serve different functions in different organisms e.g the pentadactyl limb (5 dightlimb) in four vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). Thefore limb.'of a bat and that of a bird are adapted for flight but achieved indifferent ways. In bat; the wing is supported by four greatly elongated digits but in bird it is by the entire forelimb. Convergent evolution is one that produces similar structures in organisms that come from different a n c e s t r a l s t o c k (parents)performing the same function in different ways eg the legs of insects and mammals; the wings of butterflies and birds. The legs of insects and mammals carry out the same function but have different structural organization. Continuous variation occurs when individuals that make up the population cannot be distinctly divided into two or more groups without having individuals that do not fit into any of these groups. E.g if one considers skin colour of a group of people or the -shape of the face etc.