Homology

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Homology (medicine)

Homology (pronounced: /hɒˈmɒlədʒi/) is a term used in biology and medicine to describe the existence of shared ancestry between a pair of structures or genes in different species. The term has its roots in the Greek words 'homos' meaning 'same' and 'logos' meaning 'study of'.

Etymology

The term 'homology' was first used in the biological context by Richard Owen in 1843. Owen defined homology as "the same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function". The term has since been adapted and expanded upon in various fields of study, including genetics, evolutionary biology, and medicine.

In Medicine

In the field of medicine, homology often refers to the similarity in the sequence of a protein or nucleic acid, or the anatomical structures in different organisms. This can be used to predict the function of newly sequenced genes. For example, if a new gene is found to have a high degree of homology with a gene that has already been studied, it can be inferred that the new gene likely has a similar function.

Related Terms

  • Homologous structures: Structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry.
  • Homologous chromosomes: A pair of chromosomes containing the same linear gene sequences, each derived from one parent.
  • Homologous recombination: The process by which a cell can exchange DNA between two similar or identical molecules of DNA.
  • Homologous genes: Genes derived from the same ancestral gene that have evolved to perform slightly different tasks.

See Also

External links

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