Question

Explain homology and analogy in animals by giving example.

Answer 1

Organisms belonging to different taxa or group living in the same habitat lead a similar life. Hence their organs are also modified and adapted to their requirements. This gives rise to organs which may have a different origin but perform similar functions and are known as analogous organs. For example, fins of fish and flippers of the whale.

Homologous organs show similarity in organ structure because they share a common ancestry but perform a different function. For example, forelimbs of birds, bats, whales and humans.