Is evolution inevitable?

Our species emerged as a result of a mind-bending number of random events and mutations, but it may also have been inevitable that humans, or something like us, would walk the Earth. Put simply, evolution is the product of random mutation.

Why is convergent evolution problematic?

The major difficulty involved with convergent evolution is the formation of analogous structures. These structures may appear similar and perform similar functions, making it seem that two species are closely related.

Why does convergent evolution happen?

Convergent evolution is a process in biology. It occurs when two species from unrelated lines develop the same traits or features. This happens because they live in similar habitats, and have to develop solutions to the same kind of problems. Similarity in traits can occur in two ways.

What does convergent evolution suggest?

Convergent evolution refers to the evolution in different lineages of structures that are similar or ‘analogous’, but that cannot be attributed to the existence of a common ancestor; in other words, the fact that the structures are analogous does not reflect homology.

How does convergent evolution support the theory of evolution?

In evolutionary biology, convergent evolution is the process whereby organisms not closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. Some aspects of the lens of eyes also evolved independently in various animals.

What is true about convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is when different organisms independently evolve similar traits. Biologists call this process — when two organisms share characteristics that they didn’t jointly inherit from a common ancestor — convergent evolution.

How does convergent evolution support evolution?

Convergent evolution creates analogous structures that have similar form or function but were not present in the last common ancestor of those groups. The cladistic term for the same phenomenon is homoplasy. The opposite of convergence is divergent evolution, where related species evolve different traits.

How is convergent evolution different from divergent evolution?

The main difference between convergent evolution and divergent evolution is that convergent evolution is the development of similar features in two species with different ancestral origins whereas divergent evolution is a process where two different species share a common ancestor.

Is convergent evolution homologous or analogous?

Convergent evolution occurs when species occupy similar ecological niches and adapt in similar ways in response to similar selective pressures. Traits that arise through convergent evolution are referred to as ‘analogous structures’. They are contrasted with ‘homologous structures’, which have a common origin.