In organisms, the same structure developed along different directions…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Divergent evolution

Option (1) Convergent evolution — Incorrect. Convergent evolution is the opposite case. Different structures come to do the same job, as the wings of a butterfly and of a bird. Such organs are analogous.

Option (2) Divergent evolution — Correct. The forelimbs of whales, bats, cheetahs and humans have the same set of bones but do different jobs: swimming, flying, running and grasping. One structure has spread out in different directions, and such structures are homologous.

Option (3) Evolution by anthropogenic action — Incorrect. This is evolution caused by human activity. The excess use of herbicides, pesticides and antibiotics has selected resistant varieties of organisms in a short time. It is not about one structure taking different forms.

Option (4) Natural selection — Incorrect. Natural selection is the process by which the better-fitted individuals leave more offspring. It drives evolution, but it is not the name for this pattern of one structure developing in different directions.

NCERT Extract:
What Are the Evidences for Evolution? – “… Comparative anatomy and morphology shows similarities and differences among organisms of today and those that existed years ago. Such similarities can be interpreted to understand whether common ancestors were shared or not. For example whales, bats, Cheetah and human (all mammals) share similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs (Figure 6.3b). Though these forelimbs perform different functions in these animals, they have similar anatomical structure – all of them have humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges in their forelimbs. Hence, in these animals, the same structure developed along different directions due to adaptations to different needs. This is divergent evolution and these structures are homologous.”

Figure 6.3 Example of homologous organs in (a) Plants and (b) Animals