Question

Which of the following are examples of homologous organs?

• A. Forelimbs of frog and bird
• B. Arms of rabbit and human
• C. Forelimbs of lizard and bat
• D. Wings of butterfly and bird

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

Forelimbs of lizard and bat

$\bullet$ Homologous organs are those organs which have similar structure and have evolved from a common ancestor, but differ in their function.
$\bullet$ Analogous organs are those organs which have similar functions but differ in their structure and origin.
$\bullet$ All the limb structures of vertebrates like frog, bird, bat, rabbit, human have common structure and origin but serve different funtions. Hence, they are homologous to each other.
$\bullet$ Wings of a butterfly and wings of a bat, although serve the same function, have no common stucture or origin and hence are called analogous organs.