(a) Planaria, insects, octopuses and vertebrates all have eyes. Can we group the eyes of these animals to establish a common evolutionary origin? Justify your answer.
(b) “Birds have evolved from reptiles”. State evidence to prove the statement. (Delhi 2015)

(a) Planaria, insects, octopuses and vertebrates cannot be grouped based on an eye. Eyes of insects, octopuses, Planaria and vertebrates are analogous organs which have developed over a generation as an adaptation for a similar function. They represent convergent evolution where distantly related groups develop similar functional structures as an adaptation for the same function.

(b) Fossil bird Archaeopteryx had features like feathers, fused bones, and beaks which are the characteristic features of birds. It also had some features of reptiles, like, teeth in jaws, claws on free fingers, a long tail, etc. Thus, it represents a connecting link between reptiles and birds. This example provides a clue that birds have evolved from reptiles.

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