Meaning & use
homologous
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparablebiologytechnical
In biology, describing body parts or genes that have the same origin but may not have the same function.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'homologous structures'. No comparative forms.
Patterns
- homologous to something
- homologous with something
The wings of a bat and the arms of a human are homologous structures.
Homologous chromosomes pair up during meiosis.
These genes are homologous to those found in fruit flies.
adjectivenot comparablechemistrytechnical
In chemistry, describing a series of compounds that differ by a constant unit, such as CH2.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'homologous series'. No comparative forms.
Patterns
- homologous series
Alkanes form a homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+2.
The members of a homologous series show a gradual change in physical properties.
Common combinations
- homologous structures
- The forelimbs of whales, birds, and humans are homologous structures.
- homologous chromosomes
- During meiosis, homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material.
- homologous series
- The alcohols form a homologous series.
- homologous recombination
- Homologous recombination is a key process for repairing DNA.
Synonyms and how they differ
Opposites
Word family
- homolog noun
- A homologous structure or gene.
- homology noun
- The state of being homologous; similarity due to shared ancestry.
Commonly confused: homologous or analogous?
homologous vs analogous
Analogous means similar in function but not in origin (e.g., wings of birds and insects). Homologous means similar in origin but not necessarily in function.
Practice
Which of the following is an example of homologous structures?
Choose one answer.
The flippers of a whale and the arms of a human share a common evolutionary origin and bone structure, so they are homologous. The other pairs are analogous: they have similar functions but different origins.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “homologous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.