Question

Members of two different species possess a similar-looking structure that they use in a similar fashion to perform the same function. Which information would shed the most light on whether these structures are homologous or whether they are, instead, the result of convergent evolution?A. The two species live at great distance from each otherB. The two species share many proteins in common, and the nucleotide sequences that code for these proteins are almost identical.C. The sizes of the structures in adult members of both species are similar in sizeD. Both species are well adapted to their particular environments

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The two species share many proteins in common, and the nucleotide sequences that code for these proteins are almost identical

Explanation:

When two different species have the similar structure, (trait, behavior) these traits can arise through either of two processes:

• The structure is from the common ancestor that gave rise to the two species and that structures are then known as homologous structures.  The species with homologous structures are more closely related to each other.
• The structures could have developed  independently as a result of convergent evolution (trait was not present in the ancestor), and those structures are then called analogous structures.