Analogous structures look different but function the same. For example, the wings of a bird and butterfly have very different structures but have the same function.

Question

Analogous structures look different but function the same. For example, the wings of a bird and butterfly have very different structures but have the same function.

THIS DOES NOT INDICATE A COMMON ANCESTOR.
Homologous structures look the same but function differently. For example, the wings of a bat and the arms of a human.
They have a similar internal bone structure but serve very different purposes. THIS DOES INDICATE A COMMON ANCESTOR.
What types of structures are shown below, analogous or homologous?

HUMAN
BIRD
WHALE

homologous structures (similar
• structure, different function, indicates common ancestor)
analogous structures (different
• structure, same function, does not indicate common ancestor)

Answer 1

Analogous structures look different but function the same. For example, the wings of a bird and butterfly have very different structures but have the same function.

The structures of the arms of a human, wings of a bird, and fins of a whale are homologous structures.