[Campbell Biology P.528] Which of the following statements best describes the primary charac... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements best describes the primary characteristic of homologous structures, according to the provided text?

  • A: They perform identical functions in different species due to similar environmental pressures.
  • B: They arise from different ancestral origins but evolve to resemble each other due to similar lifestyles.
  • C: They exhibit an underlying structural similarity inherited from a common ancestor, even if their functions differ.
  • D: They are structures that have lost all their original function and are now completely useless to the organism.

Explanation

The text states, 'Similarity resulting from common ancestry is known as homology.' It also emphasizes that related species 'can have characteristics that have an underlying similarity yet function differently.' Option C accurately combines these two key aspects.