Both ancestral birds and ancestral mammals shared a common ancestor that was terrestrial. Today, penguins (which are birds)and seals (which are mammals)have forelimbs adapted for swimming. What term best describes the relationship of the bones in the forelimbs of penguins and seals, and what term best describes the flippers of penguins and seals?
A) homologous; homologous
B) analogous; homologous
C) homologous; analogous
D) analogous; analogous

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The forelimbs of penguins and seals are homologous because they share a common ancestor that had forelimbs adapted for terrestrial movement. However, the flippers of penguins and seals are analogous because they have evolved convergently for a similar purpose (swimming) despite having different structures and developmental origins.

Both Ancestral Birds and Ancestral Mammals Shared a Common Ancestor