Question

(a) Explain the terms 'analogous organs' and 'homologous organs' with examples.
(b) In what way are analogous organs evidence for evolution?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Homologous organs are those organs which have the same basic structural design and origin but have different functions. ... Analogous organs are those organs which have the different basic structural design and origin but have similar functions. For example: The wings of birds and insects.

B. Analogous organs give evidence evolution coming from two directions. Some biological characteristics are analogous, which means that they serve the same function in different species but they evolved independently rather than from the same embryological material or from the same structures in a common ancestor.