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Homology refers to similarity between characteristics in different species of organisms. Bats and butterflies are quite different from each other, yet both have wings to fly; bats fly and whales swim, yet the bones in a bat's wing and whale's flipper are strikingly similar. While 'analogy' refers to different structures which perform the same function, 'homology' refers to similar structures which perform different functions. Prior to the advent of Darwinism, homology was attributed to the existence of archetypes: biological structures are similar because they conform more or less to pre-existing patterns.

Charles Darwin, however, offered a different explanation for homology. Darwin proposed that bats and whales possess similar bone structures, not because they were constructed according to the same archetype (which would imply design and thus intelligent causation), but because they were inherited from a common ancestor.

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Keely Brakus

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What has the author James W Vick written?

James W. Vick has written: 'Homology theory' -- subject(s): Homology theory


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