AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Homologous structures are structures that are similar in related organisms because they were inherited from a common ancestor.

Detailed explanation-2: -These likenesses in structure, called homologies, are the result of descent from a common ancestor. In related species, the same anatomical features evolved into distinct forms as they were used in different environments or for different functions.

Detailed explanation-3: -A common example of homologous structures in evolutionary biology are the wings of bats and the arms of primates. Although these two structures do not look similar or have the same function, genetically, they come from the same structure of the last common ancestor.

Detailed explanation-4: -Analogous structures are similar structures in unrelated organisms. These structures are similar because they do the same job, not because they share common ancestry. For example, dolphins and sharks both have fins, even though they aren’t related. Both species developed fins because of how (and where) they live.

Detailed explanation-5: -Now let’s look at analogous structures. Analogous structures have different morphology, which means they are different in structure but have similar function. Let’s take our bat wing again, and this time compare it to a butterfly wing and a bird wing.