Can I put hard drive from a 2011 model into a ~2008 model?

Me, I'm a Windows guy. I have two identical laptops, and two other computers for parts. When one dies, I just switch hard drives from on computer to the other and I'm up and running again (assuming the HD is not the problem)
My wife uses a Macbook Pro for work, and hers is in need of a good amount of work. Charge board, track pad, keyboard.. probably other stuff.
Hers was purchased new in 2011. For Christmas, she was gifted a used Macbook Pro, of identical size and case, same black keys. Estimated as a 2008 or 2009 model.
Can we simply pull the hard drive from her worn out machine and install it in the older unit and have all files, programs, OS, etc work on the new older unit like I do with my Windows machines?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
Matt

Hi and welcome to Apple discussions!
Yes they both use the same type/size hard drive.

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