homologous

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homologous (comparative more homologous, superlative most homologous)

1. Showing a degree of correspondence or similarity.

1. (biology) Corresponding to a similar structure in another life form with a common evolutionary origin.
   • 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 4:

     Lobules, homologous in structure, recur again only in the Gondwanalandic families Lepidolaenaceae and Jubulopsidaceae thus in the Lepidolaenineae.

   Flippers and hands are homologous structures.

2. (chemistry) Belonging to a series of aliphatic organic compounds that differ only by the addition of a CH₂ group.
3. (genetics) Having the same morphology as another chromosome; relating to a homologue.

• (biology) For a discussion of the use of the term "homology" (and by association "homologous") in biology, see: Patterson, Colin. "Homology in Classical and Molecular Biology." Molecular Biology and Evolution 5, no. 6 (November 1988): 603–625. http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/5/6/603.pdf (accessed 18 December 2009; archived 18 December 2009, http://www.webcitation.org/5m7rn4rCe )

• heterologous

• homolog/homologue
• homologize
• homology
• autologous