Flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are examples of:

Solution & Explanation

Answer: (D) Convergent evolution. The flippers of Penguins (a bird) and Dolphins (a mammal) are anatomically different structures that perform the same function (swimming), so they are analogous, not homologous. Analogous structures result from convergent evolution, where different structures evolve toward the same function because of a similar habitat. NCERT Reference: Ch 6 Evolution, p.115, lines 11–17: "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."