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homology

homology

2 9.8
Similarity in body parts or genes because different animals share an ancestor
  • noun
  • /həˈmɒlədʒi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : homología
  • The arm bones of humans, bats, porpoises, and horses are similar by homology, despite later divergence of function.
  • sequence homology
  • structural homology
  • high homology

I was wondering how much Exxon sequence homology do you see within your true positives within the true positives?

Examples

  • We now attribute homology to evolutionary descent from a common ancestor.

    Academic text (1995)
  • More importantly, a strong sequence homology was established between resistance genes in isolates from humans and those from farm animals.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Are we trying to create a sort of homology with the way the virus with a parasite acts?

  • One good anecdote, one semi-plausible homology, and you are in business.

    Academic text (1993)
  • And yet, whatever homologies between Jesus and believers justify our comparison, there are important differences to consider.

    Academic text (2006)
  • A phylogenetic analysis of clade 2.3.2.1 from Vietnam sequences showed a high homology between the samples, including A/CM32/2011 (Figure).

    Academic text (2013)
  • Homology searches of the 16S rDNA sequence revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Desulfovibrio.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Comparison of amino acid sequences showed high homology to matrimony vine, alfalfa, grape, Arabidopsis, and maize.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The arm bones of humans and bats exhibit high homology due to their common evolutionary ancestor.

  • Scientists study the homology between different species to understand evolutionary relationships better.

Synonyms

similarity
vshomology
157 2.7

A likeness between things that makes them seem related

is specific to likenesses caused by shared ancestry or common origin
homogeny
vshomology
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A similarity in body parts that comes from a common ancestor, for example similar bones in birds and mammals

is broader, including similarity of position, relation, or function not just structure

Antonyms

A state when two things or people are not alike

How Corresponding

homology
  • Specialized
2 9.8
analogy
230 4.9
heterology
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

homology singular
homologies plural

Morphology

homology = homo + logy

Although the word contains the classical elements 'homo-' and '-logy', the scientific sense 'shared structural correspondence' is not transparently recoverable for an average B1 learner from those parts alone.

Etymology

The word homology comes from Greek parts homo- meaning 'same', as in homogeneous, and -logy meaning 'study'. So homology describes things that are 'the same' in structure because they come from a common ancestor, like the similar bones in a whale's fin and a human arm.