homologous
Sharing common ancestry
Homologous describes things that share a common origin, structure, or position, even when their current forms or functions differ.
In biology, homologous structures like a bat's wing and a human arm share evolutionary ancestry despite serving different purposes.
Homologous chromosomes are matching pairs inherited from each parent.
The term extends to chemistry, where homologous compounds share similar structures with predictable variations.
Scientists compared homologous genes across species to trace evolutionary relationships.
DNA strand carrying genes
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- geneHereditary information unit
- locusParticular position or place
- recombinationGenetic material exchange process
meiosis · pairing · synapsis · bivalent · diploid · haploid · genotype · DNA
Spinal column animal
- limbsBody's major appendages
- tetrapodFour-limbed vertebrate animal
- phalangesBones of fingers, toes
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
bones · forelimb · flipper · wing · fin · structure · morphology · musculature
Matching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
- comparableAble to be likened
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- cognateWord sharing etymological origin
related · akin · congruent · proportionate · matching · aligned · similar · coextensive
Ordered set of related items
- compoundCombined into one
- alkaneSaturated hydrocarbon series
- methylSingle-carbon alkyl group
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
chain · functional · organic · hydrocarbon · saturated · unsaturated · polymer · monomer
chromosome
DNA strand carrying genes
recombination · meiosis · pairing · synapsis · bivalent · diploid · haploid · genotype · DNA · sequence
vertebrate
Spinal column animal
skeleton · bones · forelimb · flipper · wing · fin · structure · morphology · musculature · embryology
corresponding
Matching in character
- equivalentSame in value or function
- comparableAble to be likened
- parallelEquidistant at all points
cognate · related · akin · congruent · proportionate · matching · aligned · similar · coextensive · symmetrical
series
Ordered set of related items
carbon · chain · functional · organic · hydrocarbon · saturated · unsaturated · polymer · monomer · molecular
homologousanalogous
Comparable in certain respects
heterologous · convergent · unrelated · dissimilar · mismatched
homologousheterologous
From dissimilar genetic origin
unmatched · unpaired · incompatible · dissimilar · sex chromosomes