Physical similarities in plants, and in animals, can have two possible causes:

(1) They either indicate that those creatures that are similar are closely related or (2) they show that a single Designer with immense intelligence, power, and ability made creatures with similar designs.

Evolutionists call these similarities, "homologies". Here is how an evolutionist explains them:

"Homo means ‘the same.’ The seven bones in the human neck correspond with the same seven, much larger, neckbones in the giraffe: They are homologues. The number of cervical vertebrae is a trait [evolutionists believe are] shared by creatures descended from a common ancestor. Related species share corresponding structures, though they may be modified in various ways."—*R. Milner, Encyclopedia of Evolution (1990), p. 218.

Stepping into a kitchen, you will find forks, knives, and spoons. Close examination will reveal that there are big spoons, little spoons, and even serving ladles, as well as five or six types of knives. Does this prove that the large spoons descended from the little spoons, or does it show that someone intelligent made them all? The spoons were made to hold liquids, and the knives were made to cut solids. Someone designed each of them to do a special work. They were produced by a planner and maker.

The above illustration focuses our attention on purposeful design and an intelligent designer. (1) There are similarities in the structure—the outward appearance,—because of the purpose they must fulfill. (2) The spoons did not make themselves by accident, nor are they the result of a chance arrangement of molecules. They were designed by someone intelligent. Someone intelligent made them. Even if they were made by machinery, someone very intelligent produced that machinery.

Whether it is similarities of spoons, similarities of eyes, or similarities of arms, —the answer is creation according to a common design. That is why Datsons and Volvos are more alike than Datsons and yachts. Automobiles have many features in common because they were all designed to roll down highways, powered by engines. Sailboats are also very similar to one another because they were designed to travel by wind power over the surface of the water.

Turning our attention from man-made things to living organisms, it is equally obvious that similarity of structure follows purposeful design here also. Neither haphazard random activity nor accidents can produce useful organs. Intelligent planning is required.

DIFFERENT STRUCTURES—Not only do different animals have certain similar structures,—they have different ones also! If they did not, they would all look alike! So there are differences, as well as similarities. For example, consider dogs and cats: There are a number of similarities between the cat and dog families. But look at all the differences! There are so many of them.

As we consider those differences, the idea of a common ancestry fades out—especially when there is no evidence in the past or present that one animal and plant type ever changes into another.

The differences emphasize the factor of a common Designer, just as the similarities do. Examining these differences more closely, we find that each species, or basic type of plant or animal, has unique qualities that the others do not have. Yet even those differences were purposefully designed.