Question

question 6 of 10
which option best describes examples of vestigial structures?
a. a bats wing and a butterflys wing, both used to fly
b. a human arm and a cats foreleg, which contain similar bones
c. pelvic spurs in snakes and wisdom teeth in humans
d. a sharks tail fin and a horses hoof, both containing cartilage

Explanation:

Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an early ancestor. Pelvic spurs in snakes are remnants of hind - limb bones from snake ancestors that had legs. Wisdom teeth in humans are often considered vestigial as they are remnants of larger sets of teeth that were useful for early human ancestors who had a diet that required more grinding (e.g., tough plant materials).

• Option A: A bat's wing and a butterfly's wing are examples of analogous structures (similar function - flying, but different evolutionary origins).
• Option B: A human arm and a cat's foreleg are homologous structures (similar bone structure due to common ancestry, but different functions).
• Option D: A shark's tail fin and a horse's hoof have no relation to vestigial structures. The shark's tail fin is a functional structure for swimming, and the horse's hoof is a functional structure for locomotion.

Answer:

C. Pelvic spurs in snakes and wisdom teeth in humans