Which one of the following describes correctly the homologous structures ?
- Organs with anatomical dissimilarities but performing same function
- Organs that have no function now, but had an important function in ancestors
- Organs with anatomical similarities, but performing different functions
- Organs appearing only in embryonic stage and disappearing later in the adult
Answer
(3) Organs with anatomical similarities, but performing different functions
Solution
As per NCERT, the forelimbs of whales, bats, cheetah and human perform different functions but have similar anatomical structure (humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges).
⇒ Such organs share a common ancestry and show divergent evolution; they are homologous organs.
∵ Option (1) describes analogous organs, option (2) vestigial organs and option (4) embryonic structures,
∴ homologous structures are organs with anatomical similarities but performing different functions.
Answer: (3)