Question

The human hand, cat paw and the horse foot, when studied in detail show the same structure of bones and point towards a common origin. What is the term given to such structures?

Answer 1

Hint:- The organs of different animals share a similar structure but differ in function are called homologous organs. The organs of different animals share the same function but different in the structure are called analogous organs.

Complete step-by-step solution:-The human hand, cat paw and the horse foot have same structure but their functions are different so they are homologous organs and but they origin from the common ancestor and the study of homologous organs is called homology, To understand this concept of homologous organs or homology let's discuss some other examples like wings of birds, and forelimb of mammals or reptiles or frog, all of these are the organs of different animals but have the same bony structures, humerus radius ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges, but they perform different functions, wings of birds help in flying, the function of forelimb is holding or walking. Same as the function of the human hand is holding, the cat paw function provides an extra cushion to sit on land, and the function of the horse foot is weight, absorbs shock, provides traction, conducts moisture, and helps pump blood. Homologies represent itself as structures of organs sharing the same ancestry, as we know that these organs are almost the same in structure for e.g., the femur of a cat and a dog or a little bit different in appearance. While in case of analogous organs the similarity found among functional or environmental demands imposed but different in the structure, for example, insect wings and bird wings.

Note:- The concept of homology is an actual pillar of comparative study of anatomy and comparative biology. Hence, this concept and those related to it have witnessed a deep transformation and diversity in organisms.