Question

Which of the following is the example of atavism?
(A) Wings of bats
(B) Fins of fish
(C) Cervical fistula of man
(D) Flippers of whale

Answer 1

An atavism is a phenomenon in which a phenotypic trait reappears in an organism after an interval of absence. An atavism relates to a trait that is not existing in the immediate ancestors of an individual, although was existent in its ancestors.

Complete answer: The cervical fistula of man is an example of atavism. Other examples of atavism in humans are rarely profuse hair, a tail, and extra nipples. Cervical fistulas are outlets in the region of the throat and outermost skin of the neck, and they are detected as gill slits that have kept up open (return to the fish stage). Rare hair presence is an indication of predecessors with fur. A tail-like hierarchy in the coccygeal region is the reminder of a forefather with a tail.
-The wing of a bat and the wing of a bird is a category of analogous organs. Bat wings consist of flaps of skin spread between the bones of the fingers and arm.
-The flippers of the whale (mammal) and wings of birds are structurally similar which encompasses humerus, radius, ulna, carpal, and metacarpal. Still, flippers in whales and wings of birds perform distinct tasks despite having the exact structure. Flippers in the whale are utilized for swimming and wings or birds are utilized for flying, thus whale flippers and bird wings are illustrations of homologous organs.
Thus, the correct answer is option C, i.e., cervical fistula of man.

Note: The explanation of an atavism is a genetic trait that reoccurs after missing several generations. If a person has blue eyes like her great-great-grandmother however her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother have brown eyes, again having blue eyes is an example of an atavism.