The diagram below shows the bone structure of a whale flipper and a bat wing.Which of the following suggests that these two structures are homologous rather than analogous?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that both the flipper and the wing contain five fingerlike bone projections suggests that they are homologous structures, meaning that they share a common ancestor despite their different functions (swimming in the case of the flipper and flight in the case of the wing). Analogous structures, on the other hand, have similar functions but do not share a common ancestor (such as the wings of birds and insects). The other choices do not necessarily suggest homology, as variation in bone thickness and number of bones can occur in both homologous and analogous structures, and the fact that the wing is only formed from the hand part of the front appendage of the bat does not necessarily imply either homology or analogy.

The Diagram Below Shows the Bone Structure of a Whale