Homologous (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Having the same evolutionary origin but not necessarily the same function; "the wing of a bat and the arm of a man are homologous".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The forelimbs of vertebrates, such as the wings of birds and the flippers of whales, are homologous structures that have evolved from a common ancestor.
- The human hand and the wing of a bird are homologous, sharing a similar bone structure despite their different functions.
- The eye of an octopus and the eye of a human are homologous, indicating a common ancestor despite their distinct morphologies.
- The fins of fish and the limbs of tetrapods are homologous, demonstrating a shared evolutionary history.
- The thymus gland in vertebrates is homologous to the dorsal ridge in tunicates, suggesting a common origin for these organs.
Antonyms
Meaning 2
Corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species; "a homologous tissue graft".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The geneticist studied the homologous chromosomes in the cell to understand the inheritance pattern of the trait.
- The doctor used homologous tissue to repair the damaged knee ligament, reducing the risk of rejection.
- The evolutionary biologist compared the homologous structures of the human and chimpanzee skulls to infer their common ancestry.
- The researchers identified homologous genes in the mouse and human genomes, which helped them understand the genetic basis of the disease.
- The anatomist noted the homologous bones in the forelimbs of vertebrates, which indicated their shared evolutionary history.