2002 AIPMT EvolutionEvidences of Evolution: Homologous Organs Easy Question 2 of 2 in Evidences of Evolution: Homologous Organs

Which of the following are homologous organs :-

A Wings of birds and Locust
B Wings of birds (Sparrow) and Pectoral fins of fish
C Wings of bat and Butterfly
D Legs of frog and Cockroach

The answer is B.

Solution

Homologous organs have the same basic structure and embryonic origin but may perform different functions.
The wings of a bird and the pectoral fins of a fish are both vertebrate forelimbs (paired anterior appendages) with the same basic plan of bones and the same origin. So they are homologous.
The wings of birds and insects (locust, butterfly), wings of bat and butterfly, and legs of frog and cockroach perform similar functions but have completely different structure and origin, so they are analogous organs.
So the homologous organs are the wings of birds (sparrow) and the pectoral fins of fish.

Concept Vertebrate forelimbs are homologous

Evidences of Evolution: Homologous Organs in past papers

2 questions from this chapter have appeared across 2 exam years.