3
QuizMultiple Choice

Evidence for Evolution

Question 3 • PARTA - EOP: PGCPS BIOGEOCHEM CR (FALL2026) - 798113

Houseflies have very tiny hind wings that are too small to lift them off the ground. Scientists have observed fossils of an ancient insect they believe is related to houseflies. However, these insects had second pair of wings that were much bigger.How does this show support for the theory of evolution?

Answer
A
Houseflies have a vestigial structure.
B
The ancient insects had a vestigial structure.
C
Both share a homologous structure.
D
Both share an analogous structure.

Explanation

The housefly’s tiny hind wings are too small to provide lift, suggesting they are a reduced remnant of wings that were larger in its ancestors. A reduced structure inherited from ancestors is called vestigial. Thus, the housefly has a vestigial structure; the ancient insect’s larger wings were functional, not vestigial.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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