Analogous structures are a result of -

The correct answer is Option (3) → Convergent evolution

Option (3) Convergent evolution — Correct. Analogous structures do the same job but have different structures, like the wings of a butterfly and of a bird. Unrelated organisms in similar habitats come to have such similar features; this is convergent evolution.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2024 on 29-05-2024 (Slot 1) and on 15-05-2024 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2022 on 20-08-2022 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
What Are the Evidences for Evolution? – “… Wings of butterfly and of birds look alike. They are not anatomically similar structures though they perform similar functions. Hence, analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution - different structures evolving for the same function and hence having similarity.”