Which of the following is an example of an analogy?
A) the mammary glands of dogs and the mammary glands of cats
B) similarities in chromosomal DNA between apes and humans
C) pentadactyly (having five digits on the hands and feet) among baboons and macaques
D) dolphin fins and fish fins
E) bony eye sockets in chimps and similar structures in gorillas

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Analogies are comparisons between two things that are similar in certain aspects. Dolphin fins and fish fins are both used for swimming and have a similar shape, but they are not evolutionarily related. This is an analogy because it highlights a similarity between two things that are not otherwise similar. The other answer choices are not analogies because they describe similarities between things that are already expected to be similar based on evolutionary relatedness or common traits.

Which of the Following Is an Example of an Analogy