Answer: Analogous structures are those that have a similar function but whose origin is different. Homologous structures have the same function and also start from the same origin.
Explanation:
Convergence is the evolutionary phenomenon by which different organisms that are evolutionarily distant tend, under equivalent environmental pressures, to develop analogous characteristics.
Analogous structures are those that have a different evolutionary origin, but fulfil very similar functions. For example, the wings of a bird, the wings of a bat and the wings of an insect all are for the same thing (flight) but their phylogenetic origin is not the same. This means, they fulfill <u>similar functions by similar means, without having the same evolutionary origin.</u>
The development of homologous structures occurs through divergent evolution, where two related species change a common ancestral structure during their evolution in order to survive by performing different functions.
Then, if they have the same evolutionary origin, they are homologous. <u>So, if two structures have the same function by similar means and also start from the same origin, they are homologous structures.
</u> For example, the extremities of vertebrates, similar skeletal structure, but for different uses.
