Activity #2

Homology, Analogy and Homoplasy

Objectives :
1. To identify the structures if it is homology, analogy and homoplasy.
2. To discuss the relationship of the structures to the environment. Materials: pencil paper ruler
animal pictures internet books
Procedure:
1. Provide a wallet size picture of the selected animals and identify what morphological
concepts will be used
a. Hindlimb of human and horse
b. Dorsal fin of shark and dolphin
2. Use the this diagram to determine the morphological concept used to compare structures see fig.
1.

A. Hindlimb of human and horse

What is the morphological concept was used ? Homologous

Why? All the limbs share common bones, which is like the bones in the arms and
fingers of humans. What we call our knees are the stifles of horses, and our heels or
ankles are horses’ hocks. Our foot is their cannon bone, and from the fetlocks to the
ground are our fingers and toes. Our fingernail is their hoof, and our nail growth
generates from the cuticle, their hoof from the coronary band. The hoof is the weight-
bearing structure so susceptible to laminitis (founder). Humans don’t founder, although
a diabetic’s loss of blood supply to the legs has some comparable pathology.
 B. Dorsal fin of shark and dolphin

What is the morphological concept was used? Analogous

Why? Convergent evolution gave them streamlined bodies, dorsal fins, and flippers.
Because dolphins and sharks occupy similar niches and confront similar obstacles, they
have benefited from similar adaptations, resulting in their similar structures. _

B. Encircle the following diagram that does not belong in the group and observe the
similarities that the others share.

All of the parts that belongs to the group share analogous parts. Their functional
similarities and superficial likeness to structures of different origins. The wings of a fly,
a moth, and a bird, for example, are similar because they evolved independently as
adaptations to the same function—flying.
C. Identify the analogous structure between two animals.
1. Bat and Bird - Wings
2. Butterfly and Bird - Wings
3. Shark and Dolphin - Dorsal fin
4. Whale and turtle - Flippers
5. Frog and Chameleon - Tongue