Homologous Organs: Definition and Characteristics
Homologous organs are structures in different species that are similar because they were inherited from a common ancestor. These organs typically share the same basic structural design and develop from the same embryonic origins.
Linking Characteristics to the Question
The question asks for organs with the same basic structural design and origin but performing different functions. This definition precisely describes homologous organs.
- Same Basic Structural Design: Homologous organs exhibit similar anatomical structures (e.g., bone patterns).
- Same Origin: They arise from similar embryonic tissues or developmental pathways.
- Different Functions: Over time, evolutionary adaptations lead these organs to serve distinct purposes in different organisms.
Distinguishing from Analogous Organs
It's important to differentiate homologous organs from analogous organs. Analogous organs have similar functions but develop from different structural and evolutionary origins (e.g., the wings of a butterfly and a bird).
Conclusion
Based on the shared structure, origin, and differing functions, the organs described are homologous.
Similar Questions
- Which of the following options best represents the predictions of a Punnett square?
- Which of the following sets of chromosomes lead to the birth of a girl child?
- Which one of the following factors does NOT contribute to speciation (when new species develop from the existing ones)?
- Which of the following does NOT come under Gregor Mendel's Law of Inheritance?
- Sexually reproducing individuals have ________ copies of genes of the same trait.
- Who coined the phrase 'Survival of the fittest'?
- The laws of inheritance were discovered by:
- The approach based on the idea that 'organisms which are more distantly related will accumulate a greater number of differences in their DNA' is called?
- Which of the following sets of chromosomes lead to the birth of a girl child?
- The human species have genetic roots in:
Important Questions from Genetics and Evolution
Different varieties of the same gene are called
In a sexually reproducing organism, which one of the following statements is appropriate both for the parent and offspring?
In most prokaryotes, the chromosome number is:
Bacterial DNA is referred to as naked because it is not associated with:
The two important features of sexual reproduction in higher organisms that create genetic diversity in offspring are
