3) Explain with suitable example the importance of anatomical evidences of evolution.
Answers
Explanation:
The study of comparative anatomy predates the modern study of evolution.
Organisms with similar structures must have acquired these traits from a common ancestor. It can serve as the first line of reasoning in determining the relatedness of species. It's important examples are :
Homologous organs - All mammals share the same pattern of forelimbs. Though they perform different functions, they are anatomically similar. This is called divergent evolution and the structures are called homologous structures (common ancestors).
Analogous organs - The pair of organs is not anatomically similar, but performs the same function (e.g., the wings of butterflies and birds). This is called convergent evolution.
Answer:
Anatomical evidences help us to study how species have evolved over a period of time. Analogous structures support the theory of evolution and explain the fact that how species build up adaptations in order to fit in an environment whereas homologous structures help us to understand common ancestry. For example, if we compare the hands of humans with cat’s foreleg, flipper of whale and patagium of bat, we see that each of these organism use these structures are differently. But still there is a similarity between the structure of bones and joints which indicates that somewhere or the other these animals may have originated from common ancestors. This is an example of homology. Another example which explains analogous features is the arctic fox and the ptarmigan bird, Both of them change colours from dark brown to white during seasonal changes. They do not show common ancestry in way but since, they are found in the same habitat they are adapted to colour change.