Which of the given examples show convergent evolution?
i) Sweet potato (root modification) and potato (stem modification)
ii) Flippers of penguins and dolphins
iii) Eye of the octopus and of mammals
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → i, ii and iii
Convergent evolution produces analogous structures: different structures that evolve for the same function in unrelated groups, often because the habitat is similar.
i) Sweet potato (root modification) and potato (stem modification) — Convergent. One is a modified root and the other a modified stem, yet both store food.
ii) Flippers of penguins and dolphins — Convergent. A bird and a mammal have independently evolved flippers for swimming.
iii) Eye of the octopus and of mammals — Convergent. The eyes are built differently but do the same job of seeing.
All three are examples of analogy, so all three show convergent evolution.
NCERT Extract:
What are the Evidences for Evolution? – “… Hence, analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution - different structures evolving for the same function and hence having similarity. Other examples of analogy are the eye of the octopus and of mammals or the flippers of Penguins and Dolphins. One can say that it is the similar habitat that has resulted in selection of similar adaptive features in different groups of organisms but toward the same function: Sweet potato (root modification) and potato (stem modification) is another example for analogy.”