Homology and evolution

Richard Owen (1848) introduced the term homology to refer to structural similarities among organisms. Homology involves the theory that macroevolutionary relationships can be proven by the similarity in the anatomy and physiology of different animals.  Darwin then made sense of homologous structures by relating it to an evolutionary explanation for them.  Darwin said, a structure is similar among related organisms because those organisms have all descended from a common ancestor that had an equivalent trait. Darwin’s evolutionary homology theory has made homology a well known proof of evolution.  Claims have been made by many scientists (ex. Conklin) that the only natural explanation to homology is, in fact, evolution. Scientist Conklin gives and example by saying that the resemblance between emryos, larvae and adults

 ‘are just as genuine homologies as those between adult structures, and the only natural explanation that has ever been found for such homologies is inheritance from common ancestors … . These fundamental resemblances, or homologies, as they are technically called, call for some explanation, and the only natural explanation that has ever been proposed is evolution.’

Bergman, Jerry. “Does homology provide evidence of evolutionary naturalism?”.ANSWERS. 10/29/09<http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/i1/hom ology.asp>.