[Campbell Biology P.600] The evolution of the swim bladder in fish from the air-breathing or... | Practice Question

The evolution of the swim bladder in fish from the air-breathing organ a simple lung of an ancestral fish is a classic example of which evolutionary concept?

  • A: Exaptation.
  • B: Homoplasy.
  • C: Adaptive radiation.
  • D: Punctuated equilibrium.

Explanation

Exaptation is when a trait that evolved for one purpose is co-opted for a different function. The swim bladder for buoyancy evolved from a lung-like structure for breathing , fitting this definition perfectly.