The study of body plans and structures among groups of organisms is called ____.

A) homologous structures
B) analogous structures
C) comparative morphology
D) morphological convergence
E) morphological divergence

Comparative morphology is the systematic study of similarities and differences in the body plans and structures among groups of organisms. It includes the analysis of homologous structures (structures that are similar in different species because they have evolved from a common ancestor) and analogous structures (structures that are similar in different species but have evolved independently). Morphological convergence and divergence refer to the evolution of similar or different structures due to different selective pressures, respectively, and are not the same as the study of body plans and structures among groups of organisms.