KOMPAS.com – Living things have organs that show homologous and analogous properties. The organs that exhibit analogous properties are the wings of a bat and also a dragonfly’s wing.
However, what exactly is it organ analog and what are some examples of analogue organs? To find out the answer, consider the following explanation!
Organ analog is a biological term in studying evolution. Reported from Lumen Learning, scientists try to uncover evolution by investigating the morphology (form and function) and genetics of living things.
Also read: Evolution According to Experts
From this investigation, what is known as an analog structure was born. The term analog was first used by an English anatomist and paleontologist named Sir Richard Owen around the 19th century.
Reported from Encyclopedia Britannica, analogous structures are anatomical features of disparate species that are similar to one another, but have very different evolutionary origins and developmental patterns.
That is, analog organs are organs of living things with the same function but have different embryonic origins and evolutionary lines from one another. It can be said that two species of living things that have analogous organs developed convergent evolution.
Reported from Biology Online, convergent evolution is a type of evolution in which organisms develop similar (analogous) structures and functions even though their evolutionary ancestors are very different or unrelated.
Also read: Evolutionary Characteristics
Insect wings, bird wings and bat wings
Insect wings and bird wings are examples of analog organs because it has the same function, namely to fly. However, birds and insects do not share a common evolutionary line because they came from different ancestors.
In addition to insect wings and bird wings, bat wings are also an organ of evolution. The wings of bats also serve to fly, but they have many differences and come from a different evolutionary line from insects and birds.
Crab and insect olfactory organs
Another example of an analogous organ is the olfactory organ in crabs and insects. The olfactory organs are both used to detect odors, but crabs and insects belong to a different class of arthropods.
Also read: Similarities and Differences between Darwin and Lamarck’s Theories of Evolution
Flying squirrel wings and sugar glider
The wings of the flying squirrel and the sigar glider have the same function, namely to help them glide from a higher place as if they were flying.
However, sugar gliders and flying squirrels belong to different classes of mammals. Sugar gliders are placental mammals, while flying squirrels are marsupials.
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