Question

Which of the following best describes the differences between homologous structures and analogous structures?

Multiple choice question.
A) Homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor, while analogous structures are similar but are not inherited from a common ancestor.
B) Homologous structures appear in the fossil record, while analogous structures are absent from the fossil record.
C) Analogous structures appear superficially similar to homologous structures, but they are reduced forms that no longer have the homologous structure's function.
D) Homologous structures give an organism an advantage in survival, while analogous structures do not provide an advantage or a disadvantage.

Answer 1

The key difference between homologous and analogous structures is that homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor while analogous structures are similar in function but evolved independently. Option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the choices provided, the one that best describes the differences between homologous structures and analogous structures is A) Homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor, while analogous structures are similar but are not inherited from a common ancestor. Homologous structures are similar because they originated from the same embryonic tissue in a common ancestor, while analogous structures have evolved independently in different species because they perform similar functions.

For example, the bones in the front flipper of a whale are homologous to the bones in the human arm, indicating a common ancestor. Conversely, the analogous structures, such as the wings of butterflies and birds, evolved independently, serving similar functional demands, like flying, but do not derive from a common ancestor. Hence, the commonality in homologous structures provides insight into phylogenetic relationships, while analogous structures may point to convergent evolution.