Choose the pairs of organs that are a result of convergent evolution
i. Wings of butterflies and wings of birds.
ii. Flippers of penguins and flippers of dolphins
iii. Eyes of octopus and eyes of mammals.
iv. Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita.
v. Sweet potato and potato.
vi. Vertebrate hearts and vertebrate brains

Options

A. i, ii,v and vi
B. i, ii, iii and iv
C. i, ii and vi
D. i,ii,iii and v

Answer

To determine which pairs of organs are a result of convergent evolution, we first need to understand what convergent evolution means. Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or structures independently, often because they adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. These traits are known as analogous structures, which serve similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin.

Let's analyze each option step by step:

1. **Wings of butterflies and wings of birds**:
- The wings of butterflies (insects) and birds (aves) serve the same function of flight but are anatomically different. They evolved independently in these unrelated groups.
- **Conclusion**: This is an example of convergent evolution.

2. **Flippers of penguins and flippers of dolphins**:
- Both penguins (birds) and dolphins (mammals) have flippers that enable them to swim effectively. Despite being from different classes (Aves and Mammalia), their flippers serve the same purpose.
- **Conclusion**: This is also an example of convergent evolution.

3. **Eyes of octopus and eyes of mammals**:
- The eyes of octopuses (cephalopods) and mammals (vertebrates) have similar functions (vision) but are structurally different. They evolved independently, showcasing analogous structures.
- **Conclusion**: This is another example of convergent evolution.

4. **Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita**:
- Thorns and tendrils are both modifications of plant structures, but they serve different functions (protection vs. support). They do not arise from unrelated evolutionary paths.
- **Conclusion**: This is not an example of convergent evolution.

5. **Sweet potato and potato**:
- The sweet potato (a root tuber) and the potato (a stem tuber) are both edible, but they belong to different plant families and have different origins. However, they do not represent convergent evolution as they are not analogous structures.
- **Conclusion**: This is not an example of convergent evolution.

6. **Vertebrate hearts and vertebrate brains**:
- The heart and brain are both vital organs in vertebrates, but they do not serve similar functions nor are they analogous structures. They are both derived from the same evolutionary lineage.
- **Conclusion**: This is not an example of convergent evolution.

**Final Answer**: The pairs that are a result of convergent evolution are:
- i. Wings of butterflies and wings of birds
- ii. Flippers of penguins and flippers of dolphins
- iii. Eyes of octopus and eyes of mammals