Subtopic: Fundamentals of Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics
Question Statement:
The evolution of wings in bats and insects is an example of ________ evolution.
Options:
(A) convergent
(B) divergent
(C) neutral
(D) parallel
Official Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2024 Q.43)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Evolutionary Biology & Comparative Anatomy
- **Convergent evolution** is the independent evolution of analogous structural or functional features in unrelated or distantly related lineages that adapt to similar ecological niches or environmental pressures.
- The wings of bats (mammals with skin stretched between elongated digits) and wings of insects (invertebrates with chitinous cuticle outgrowths) are **analogous structures**: they serve the identical function of powered flight but share no common winged ancestor.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) [convergent] is CORRECT**: Classical example of analogous organs arising through convergent evolutionary pressures for aerial locomotion.
- **Option (B) [divergent] is INCORRECT**: Divergent evolution describes homologous structures from a common ancestor diversifying into different functions (e.g., bat wing, human arm, whale flipper).
- **Option (C) [neutral] is INCORRECT**: Neutral evolution refers to genetic drift of non-adaptive mutations, not macroevolutionary morphological convergence.
- **Option (D) [parallel] is INCORRECT**: Parallel evolution occurs when closely related taxa independently develop similar traits from similar ancestral starting points.
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **A**
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