Analogous Structures
- Definition. Analogous structures are similar structures that evolved independently in two living organisms to serve the same purpose.
- Examples of Analogous Structures. As mentioned above, many creatures have independently developed wings. ...
- Difference Between Analogous and Homologous Structures. ...
- Identifying Analogous Structures. ...
- Related Biology Terms. ...
- Quiz. ...
What are some examples of analogus structures?
Examples of analogous structures range from wings in flying animals like bats, birds, and insects, to fins in animals like penguins and fish. Plants and other organisms can also demonstrate analogous structures, such as sweet potatoes and potatoes, which have the same function of food storage.
What are 3 examples of homologous structures?
What are examples of homology?
- Animal Forelimbs. The forelimbs of a frog, a bird, a rabbit and a lizard look very different because they have evolved differently in response to the evolutionary pressures on each ...
- Bracteate Plants.
- Insect Mouthparts.
- Snakes and Worms.
How do analogous structures and homologous structures differ?
Key Areas Covered
- What are Homologous Structures – Definition, Features, Examples
- What are Analogous Structures – Definition, Features, Examples
- What are the Similarities Between Homologous and Analogous Structures – Outline of Common Features
- What is the Difference Between Homologous and Analogous Structures
What do homologous structures have in common?
Related Biology Terms
- Coccyx – The “tail bone” at the end of a mammal’s spinal column. The coccyx may be composed of fused vertebrae, or it may extend into a tail.
- Photoreceptor – A structure, usually a cell or small organ, which detects any light that falls on it.
- Cervical vertebrae – The bones that provide support for the upper spine.
What are examples of analogous structures?
Some examples of analogous structures are wings of birds and butterflies, flippers of Penguins and Dolphins, eyes of the octopus and of mammals, sweet potato and potato.
What is the definition of analogous in biology?
analogy, in biology, similarity of function and superficial resemblance of structures that have different origins. For example, the wings of a fly, a moth, and a bird are analogous because they developed independently as adaptations to a common function—flying.
What is analogous and give an example?
An analogy is saying something is like something else to make some sort of explanatory point. For example, “Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get.”
What is an example of an analogous structure in humans?
For example, the bones that make up human fingers were inherited from an ancestor that's shared by all mammals. Bats, dogs, and whales also have these bones, but bats use them to spread their wings, dogs walk on them, and whales do not use them for anything since they are encased inside their fins.
What is homologous and analogous structure?
Homologous structures share a similar embryonic origin; analogous organs have a similar function. For example, the bones in the front flipper of a whale are homologous to the bones in the human arm. These structures are not analogous. The wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird are analogous but not homologous.
How do you say analogous structure?
0:090:49How to Pronounce Analogous? (CORRECTLY) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd consider subscribing for more learning how do you say it analogous you do want to stress on theMoreAnd consider subscribing for more learning how do you say it analogous you do want to stress on the second syllable on the na. Syllable. Same pronunciation in british english.
What are 3 examples of analogous?
Analogous Structures Examples Within NatureBird, Insect and Bat Wings. ... Fish and Penguin Fins/Flippers. ... Duck and Platypus Bills. ... Cacti and Poinsettia Plant Structures. ... Crab and Turtle Shells. ... Turtle and Bird Beaks. ... Octopus and Human Eyes. ... Shark and Dolphin Coloring.More items...
What are 5 examples of analogy?
Though there is no limit to the possibilities when it comes to word analogies, here are some examples to familiarize yourself with the concept:hammer : nail :: comb : hair.white : black :: up : down.mansion : shack :: yacht : dinghy.short : light :: long : heavy.bees : hive :: bears : den.speak : sing :: walk : dance.More items...
What is homologous structure?
Homologous structures are similar physical features in organisms that share a common ancestor, but the features serve completely different functions. An example of homologous structures are the limbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats.
What are analogous structures?
And analogous structures can include behavioral traits, such as the songs of many different species of birds.
Why are homologous structures similar?
Homologous structures are similar in structure and function because they originated from the same ancestor long ago. Species may also have similar traits even though they are not related to each other. This usually results because the species live in similar environments and fill similar ecological roles.
Why are phylogenies based on homologous structures?
Phylogenies are based on homologous structures and describe species that are derived from a common ancestor. Because analogous traits can be so similar, it may be difficult to distinguish them from homologies.
Can birds have analogous songs?
However, it has been found that some bird species that are quite unrelated can develop analogous song characteristics if held together in similar conditions for periods of time in a lab. Identifying Analogous Structures.
What is analogous structure?
Analogous structures are structures which serve similar purposes yet are found in species that have come from different evolutionary lines. The study of analogous structures is a type of anatomical comparison between two different species, used to gain evidence for convergent evolution. How are analogous structures used to gain evidence ...
Why are analogous structures beneficial?
The study of analogous structures has proven immensely beneficial in uncovering the evolutionary lineages of species.
How do analogous structures evolve?
Analogous structures may also shift and transform through different stages, looking quite different from one another before they end up looking similar.
Do analogous structures have common ancestor?
This means that analogous structures don’t necessarily serve as evidence for a common ancestor between two species, and in fact, it is more likely that the structures merely arose under similar circumstances and that the organisms are hardly related at all.
What is analogous structure?
analogous structure. a structure that compared with another has the same function but a different origin; analogous structures are e.g. the human eye and the eye of the octopus. Analogy between structures does not imply evolutionary relationships but may imply CONVERGENCE.
What does Aristotle say about analogous structures?
Thus it seems that Aristotle is claiming that, although many genera happen to have analogous structures and follow analogous rules, there is no universal guarantee that even the basic rules of addition and subtraction will be realized in the same way by different kinds of things.
Why do companies like Google have similar structures?
According to the executive chairman virtually all major American companies operating internationally have similar structures to Google in place in order to minimise taxes and that European companies operating in the US have analogous structures. "This is how the international tax regime works.
Analogous Structures Examples
A bird’s wing and an insect’s wing are similar organs. Both of these animals have wings and use them to fly, yet their wings have different evolutionary origins. Therapod dinosaurs, especially Maniraptora members, are thought to be the evolutionary origins of birds. In the case of insects, their evolutionary history is unknown.
Analogous Structures vs Homologous Structures
Homologous structures are those that have a common ancestor or have the same evolutionary or developmental origin. Homologous structures may or may not serve the same purpose. Human and bat forelimbs are examples of homologous structures.
Analogous Features
As previously mentioned, analogous structures are the structures between two species or populations of organisms which have the same function but not the same structure, or anatomy.
Wings
As previously mentioned, the wings on insects, bats, and birds are analogous structures because they evolved independently. That is, the last common ancestor between insects, bats, and birds did not have wings itself.
Fins
Fins found on various very different species are examples of analogous structures. Fins allow the organism which possesses them to navigate through their aquatic environment. Penguins, dolphins, fish and sharks all possess what are anatomically functioning as fins.
What are Analogous Structures?
Many species have comparable tendencies due to the fact they’re descendants of a unmarried not unusual place ancestor. These species advanced from a unmarried supply and are associated with a sure diploma regardless of their present day differences. The tendencies they percentage are called homologous systems.
Examples of Analogous Structures
There are many examples of analogous systems for us to take a look at in nature. We can take a look at numerous flying animals including bats, birds, insects, or even fish.
Wings Through The Ages
As cited above, many creatures have independently advanced wings. All wings had advanced that allows you to remedy the identical trouble: a way to fly via the air. But they’ve advanced on numerous extraordinary events all through history.

Examples of Analogous Structures
- Wings Through The Ages
As mentioned above, many creatures have independently developed wings. All wings were evolved in order to solve the same problem: how to fly through the air. But they have evolved on several different occasions throughout history. Insects were the first organisms to evolve struct…
Difference Between Analogous and Homologous Structures
- The difference between homologousand analogous structures can be thought of in terms of ancestry and function: • Analogous structures have different ancestry, but the same function. These can be thought of in terms of the literary device of “analogy,” where two different things are compared based on their similarities. • Homologous structureshave the same ancestry, but may …
Identifying Analogous Structures
- Scientists usually identify analogous structures by looking at the known relatives of the two species being studied. If a line of common inheritance can be found – such as humans and monkeys both having fingers, when we have a fossil record showing that humans and monkeys shared a common ancestor, who also had fingers – the structures are not considered analogous…
Related Biology Terms
- Convergent evolution– When two species independently evolve similar solutions to an evolutionary problem.
- Evolution – The process by which organisms change over time, due to natural selectionand survival of the fittest.
Quiz
- 1. Which of the following is NOT an example of convergent evolution? A. Cacti in North America and Africa that have the same body structures. B. Birds and bats that are both able to fly. C. Whales and bats that both have metacarpal “finger” bones. D.Platypi and ducks that both have duck bills. 2. Which of the following is true of analogous structures? A. They have the same func…
Convergent Evolution vs. Divergent Evolution
Further Explanation
- As previously mentioned, analogous structures are structures within the bodies of living things that fulfill a similar role even though they come from different evolutionary lineages. The most frequent cause of analogous structures is convergent evolution, where organisms are subjected to similar environmental pressures. This can occur in different...
Examples of Analogous Structures
- One of the most notable examples of analogous structures is human and octopus eyes. The eyes of humans and the eyes of octopi are very similar for the most part, with the only substantial difference being that the eye of an octopus doesn’t have a blind spot like the human eye does. Yet octopi and humans aren’t very related and are located far away from one another on the phyloge…