Which of the following cannot be a homologous trait?
A) A DNA sequence that evolves quickly
B) A DNA sequence that evolves slowly
C) A morphological trait that is entirely determined by the temperature regime under which an organism was raised
D) A highly heritable social behavior
E) The structure of the protein hemoglobin, which is used to transport oxygen throughout the circulatory system

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Homologous traits are traits that are present in different species because they were inherited from a common ancestor. A DNA sequence that evolves quickly or slowly can still be homologous if it is shared among different species. A highly heritable social behavior can also be homologous if it is present in different species due to inheritance from a common ancestor. The structure of the protein hemoglobin is also homologous, as it is present in different vertebrate species and plays a similar role in each. However, a morphological trait that is entirely determined by the temperature regime under which an organism was raised could not be homologous because it is not inherited from a common ancestor but rather determined by the environment.

Which of the Following Cannot Be a Homologous Trait