Question

Short/Long answer type questions
What are homologous organs? How do they help in providing evidence for organic evolution?

Answer 1

Organic evolution supports the idea of a modification of living organisms during their descent, generation by generation, from common ancestors.

The organs which have the same fundamental structure but are different in functions are called homologous organs. These organs follow the same basic plan of the organisation during their development. But in the adult condition, these organs are modified to perform different functions as an adaptation to different environments. The homologous structures are a result of divergent evolution. Homology indicates common ancestry and explains how with the difference in lifestyle and habitat gradually resulted in diversification of species. In this way, homology provides evidence of organic evolution.