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NEET 2026 (Phase 1) · BiologyPrevious Year Question

Which of the following is not an example of convergent evolution?

  1. A.Flippers of penguins and dolphins
  2. B.Eyes of octopuses and mammals
  3. C.Fore limbs of whales and bats✓
  4. D.Wings of butterflies and birds

Correct Answer

(C) Fore limbs of whales and bats

Solution & Explanation

Answer: (C) Fore limbs of whales and bats. Convergent evolution produces analogous structures – different structures evolving the same function (flippers of penguins/dolphins, eyes of octopus/mammals, wings of butterfly/birds). The forelimbs of whales and bats, however, share the same underlying bone pattern (humerus, radius, ulna, etc.) inherited from a common mammalian ancestor; they are homologous and are the result of divergent evolution. Therefore option (c) is the one that is NOT an example of convergent evolution. NCERT Reference: Ch 6 Evolution, p.114, lines 6–13: "whales, bats, Cheetah and human (all mammals) share similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs ... the same structure developed along different directions due to adaptations to different needs. This is divergent evolution and these structures are homologous."

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