Question

Explain the terms 'analogous organs' and 'homologous organs' with examples.

Answer 1

Analogous organs are those organs which have different basic structure, but perform the same function. For example, the wing of an insect and a bird have completely different basic structure, but they perform the same function—of flying.  Homologous organs are those organs which have same basic structure but perform different functions. For example, the forelimbs of humans, cheetahs, whales and bats have the same basic structural plan. But the forelimbs in humans are used for grasping, in cheetah for running, in whales for swimming and in bats for flying.