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Question #46926
The Question
A museum curator is mapping the phylogenetic lineage of newly discovered vertebrate fossils using a purely morphological approach, assuming that all structural similarities indicate a close evolutionary relationship. Which of the following statements regarding evolutionary evidence is INCORRECT and highlights the flaw in the curator's logic?
Options
- A.
Relying exclusively on morphological traits risks misinterpreting homoplasy (convergent evolution) as true phylogenetic ancestry.
- B.
Homologous structures indicate divergent evolution, where organs with different fundamental anatomical plans adapt to perform similar functions in shared habitats.
- C.
The flippers of penguins and dolphins represent analogous structures, which evolved due to similar environmental selection pressures rather than a recent common ancestor.
- D.
Without molecular phylogenetics, the curator cannot definitively distinguish between traits derived from shared ancestry and those resulting from independent adaptation.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Museum vs. Herbarium Logic|Homologous Organ Ancestry|Hominid Cranial Capacity
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: The 'Definition-Swap Trap'.
Students often memorize the word pairs (Homology-Divergent, Analogy-Convergent) but skim the actual mechanistic description.
By starting Option B with the correct word pair ('Homologous structures indicate divergent evolution'), the brain's pattern recognition is satisfied, causing the student to overlook that the subsequent structural/functional description actually defines convergent evolution.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | The Living World - Class 11 |
| Concept | Museum vs. Herbarium Logic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |