GENETICS AND HEREDITY

Analogous organs: These are structures that have similar functions and may superficially resemble each other, but they have different evolutionary origins and do not share a common ancestry.
Analogous organs arise due to convergent evolution, where different species independently evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environmental pressures.
For example, the wings of birds and insects are analogous organs as they serve the same purpose of flying but have different underlying structures and evolutionary origins.
Homologous organs: These are structures that have similar characteristics, both in terms of their structure and evolutionary origin, indicating a common ancestry.
Homologous organs share a similar basic structure but may have different functions in different species.
For example, the forelimbs of humans, bats, cats, and whales have a similar bone structure, indicating a common ancestor, but they have different functions in each species (e.g., grasping, flying, walking, swimming).