Question

Differentiate between the following:

Homologous organs and analogous organs

Answer 1

Homologous organs:

1. The organs which are originated from a common organism and have a similar structure but differ in the functions which they perform are called homologous organs.

Analogous organs:

1. The organs which are originated from different organisms and have a dissimilar structure but perform the same kind of function are called analogous organs.

Homologous organs	Analogous organs
Examples include the flippers of a whale which are used for swimming and the wings of a bat which are used for flying, both performing different functions by having the same structure and origin.	Examples include the wings of a bird and an insect, both of which perform the function of flying by differing in structure and origin
They are evidence of divergent evolution	They are evidence of convergent evolution