An important evidence in favour of organic evolution is the occurrence of -

7 2006 AIPMT-PRE EvolutionEvidences of evolution Easy
An important evidence in favour of organic evolution is the occurrence of -
A Homologous and vestigial organs
B Analogous and vestigial organs
C Homologous organs only
D Homologous and analogous organs

Detailed Solution

Homologous organs have the same basic structure and origin but different functions, such as the forelimbs of the whale, bat, cheetah and man.
They show that these organisms have descended from a common ancestor and have diverged (divergent evolution), so they are strong evidence for organic evolution.
Vestigial organs are reduced, functionless organs that were fully developed and functional in the ancestors, such as the vermiform appendix and the nictitating membrane in man.
Their presence can be explained only if the organism has evolved from ancestors in which these organs were useful, so they too are evidence for evolution.
Analogous organs have different origins and only a similar function; they result from convergent evolution and do not indicate common ancestry.
So the important evidence is the occurrence of homologous and vestigial organs.

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