The whale shark has rows of teeth despite being a filter feeder. What's the best explanation of this feature?

A. The whale shark's teeth are an example of vestigial structures. If an inherited feature is no longer needed but also not harmful, there's no evolutionary pressure to get rid of it.

B. The whale shark's teeth are an example of analogous structures. Teeth exist in almost every sea creature, and the whale would be at a defensive disadvantage without them.

C. The whale shark's teeth are an example of homologous structures. Other mammals also have teeth, and different teeth in humans have different shapes to serve different functions.

D. The whale shark's teeth are an example of embryonic structures. The teeth buds develop early enough in embryogenesis that the whale shark is still born with teeth.

Question

Evan Anderson

Chemistry

23 March, 21:18

The whale shark has rows of teeth despite being a filter feeder. What's the best explanation of this feature?

A. The whale shark's teeth are an example of vestigial structures. If an inherited feature is no longer needed but also not harmful, there's no evolutionary pressure to get rid of it.

B. The whale shark's teeth are an example of analogous structures. Teeth exist in almost every sea creature, and the whale would be at a defensive disadvantage without them.

C. The whale shark's teeth are an example of homologous structures. Other mammals also have teeth, and different teeth in humans have different shapes to serve different functions.

D. The whale shark's teeth are an example of embryonic structures. The teeth buds develop early enough in embryogenesis that the whale shark is still born with teeth.

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Bob · Answer 1

The correct answer is option A, that is, the whale shark's teeth are an example of vestigial structures. If an inherited feature is no longer needed but also not harmful, there's no evolutionary pressure to get rid of it.

Explanation:

The vestigial structures refer to the compositions, which exhibit no ostensible activity and seems to be the leftover components from a past ancestor. Some of the examples of vestigial parts are the pelvic bone of a snake, the human appendix, and the wings of flightless birds.

Rebekah Snow · Answer 2

The whale shark's teeth are an example of vestigial structures. If an inherited feature is no longer needed but also not harmful, there's no evolutionary pressure to get rid of it. - A.