Question

Is it necessary that a homologous structure always have a common ancestor

Answer 1

Yes, homologous structures often arise from a common ancestor.

What are homologous structures?

• In the study of evolution, homologous structures can be described as similar physical structures in different organisms which represent a common ancestor among them in the past.

• For example, the basic structure of the arm of a human and the wing of a bat are similar. Hence, they are homologous structures which represent that humans and bats both might have descended from a common ancestor in the past.