Bone Homology Explorer

Compare skeletal structures across species - what does the same pattern tell us?

How to Use This Simulation

Step 1: Click on two different species (human, whale, bat, cat, or bird) to compare them.

Step 2: Examine the bone diagrams - notice the same pattern: humerus, radius/ulna, carpals, digits.

Step 3: Click on bone names in the legend to highlight them across both species.

Key concept: Same bones, different functions = evidence of common ancestry (homologous structures)!

The Mystery

Why do whales have finger bones? Why does a bat's wing have the same bones as your arm?
Click two species below to compare their limb bones!

Species 1: Select a species

Click a species above

Species 2: Select a species

Click a species above

Key Concepts

Homologous Structures

Same bones, different functions
Evidence of COMMON ANCESTRY
Example: Human arm, whale flipper, bat wing all have humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, digits

Analogous Structures

Different bones, same function
NOT evidence of recent common ancestry
Example: Bat wing (bone) vs Insect wing (no bone) - both fly but different structures

What This Means

Select two species to see how their bone structures compare. The fact that such different animals have the SAME bone pattern is powerful evidence that they share a common ancestor!

Check Your Understanding

A whale's flipper and a human's arm both have a humerus, radius, ulna, and finger bones. This is evidence that:

Record Your Observations

As you explore Bone Homology Evidence for Evolution, record what you notice:

Starting conditions: What are the initial settings?
Changes: What happens when you adjust the variables?
Patterns: Do you notice any patterns or relationships?
Evidence: What specific data supports your observations?

Predict • Observe • Explain

Predict

Before running the simulation, predict: what do you think will happen to Bone Homology - Evidence for Evolution when you change the variables? Write your prediction and reasoning.

Observe

Run the simulation with different settings. Record what you observe — describe the patterns, changes, and relationships you see.

Explain

Compare your observations with your prediction. Use scientific vocabulary to explain why Bone Homology - Evidence for Evolution behaves the way it does.