Homologous+Structure+vs.+Analogous+Structure

Analogous Structures are structures that are found in different species that

have a similar function, but are not similar in structure. An example of this is

the wings of a bat and the wings of an insect. Both of them are used for flying,

but they both don't have similar structure. Structures that evolve

independently are also called homoplasies(1).



Homologous structures are two or more anatomical structures or behavioral traits in

different organisms which come from a structure or trait of a common ancestor. The

structures may not preform the same function in the organism(3). An example of this

is the arm of a human, the leg of a cat, the fin of a whale and the wing of a bat(5). In

homologous structures there are vestigial organs. Vestigial organs are organs or

structure that serve no useful function. An example of this would be the tail bones in

humans(4).



(1). http://www.everythingbio.com/glos/definition.php?word=analogous+structure

(2). http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/pix/analogous.gif

(3). http://www.everythingbio.com/glos/definition.php?ID=3385

(4). http://bioweb.cs.earlham.edu/9-12/evolution/HTML/live.html

(5). AP Biology Book-page 449

(6). http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/isb200/HOMOL.GIF

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