Answer: Analogous organs, since they perform a similar function but differ in structure and developmental origin.
- A Homologous organs, since they share a common evolutionary origin according to most researchers in the majority of cases studied
- B Analogous organs, since they perform a similar function but differ in structure and developmental origin
- C Vestigial organs retained from a shared excretory ancestor in both groups as widely reported in standard practice
- D Convergent duplications of the same embryonic mesodermal structure in both phyla under most conditions encountered
Correct answer: B. Analogous organs, since they perform a similar function but differ in structure and developmental origin
Explanation: Malpighian tubules and nephrons perform a similar excretory function (removing nitrogenous waste from a body fluid) but are structurally and developmentally unrelated, making them analogous organs rather than homologous ones.
The four basic animal tissue types and their core functions: epithelial (covering/lining), connective (support and transport), muscular (movement), and neural (signal conduction).
Concept context
The four basic animal tissue types (epithelial, connective, muscular, neural) and the cockroach as a model organism for organ-system level organisation.