Question

Organs that have similar embryonic origin but perform different functions are called

• A. homologous organs
• B. analogous organs
• C. vestigial organs
• D. atavistic organs

Answer 1

The correct option is A homologous organs

Homologous organs are the organs which have the same origin but perform dissimilar functions. The homologous organs have similar origin, but due to the evolution, the organism undergoes developmental changes in order to adjust to the changing environmental condition. For example, the wings of bats and the arms of primates have evolved to form different structures, but they have the same ancestral tetrapod structure.

Analogous organs are the organs which have the same function and are superficially alike but are quite different in fundamental structure and embryonic origin, e.g., the pectoral fins of fishes and the flippers of seals.

Vestigial organs are the ones which have become rudimentary and non-functional in the organism in the course of evolution but were functional and developed in the ancestral counterparts, e.g., vermiform appendix in humans.

Atavism is the reappearance of an ancestral genetic trait, that been lost through evolutionary change in previous generations, in the form of a modified biological structure, e.g., reappearance of a small tail in a human child.