12
QuizMultiple Choice

Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record — Test

Question 12 • TPS EdX Biology

Thylacosmilus is a marsupial, and Smilodon is a mammal. Thylacosmilus and Smilodon both have saber teeth, but they do not share an ancestor that had saber teeth. What are saber teeth for these organisms?

Answer
A
homologous structures
B
mutated structures
C
analogous structures
D
vestigial structures

Explanation

Homologous structures are similar because they were inherited from a common ancestor. The question says Thylacosmilus and Smilodon did not share an ancestor with saber teeth, so their saber teeth evolved independently. Similar features that evolved independently for a similar function are analogous structures, making D the correct choice.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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