Thursday, September 1, 2011

Homologous Structures

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Harvey's Farm and Garden Center, 120 South Street, Westborough, MA, 01581

Echinocereus viridiflorous
Harvey's Farm and Garden Center, 120 South Street, Westborough, MA, 01581


The first picture of a hibiscus is a standard dicot leaf, broad with many veins throughout the structure. The second picture of a cactus details a typical succulent leaf, narrow and thick because of the large amount of water stored inside. Both leaves were descended for similar structures but diverged because of drastic differences in environment and the resulting natural selection.

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