HOMOLOGOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does homologous mean? 

• HOMOLOGOUS (adjective)
  The adjective HOMOLOGOUS has 2 senses:

1. having the same evolutionary origin but not necessarily the same function

2. corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species

  Familiarity information: HOMOLOGOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOMOLOGOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the same evolutionary origin but not necessarily the same function

Context example:

the wing of a bat and the arm of a man are homologous

Similar:

homologic; homological (similar in evolutionary origin but not in function)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Antonym:

analogous (corresponding in function but not in evolutionary origin)

heterologous (not corresponding in structure or evolutionary origin)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species

Context example:

a homologous tissue graft

Antonym:

autologous (derived from organisms of the selfsame individual)

heterologous (derived from organisms of a different but related species)

Derivation:

homology (the quality of being similar or corresponding in position or value or structure or function)

 Context examples 

This protein is involved in both homologous recombination and DNA repair.

(DNA Repair Protein RAD51 Homolog 1, NCI Thesaurus)

This protein is involved in both homologous recombination and double-strand break repair.

(DNA Repair Protein RAD52 Homolog, NCI Thesaurus)

This protein is involved in DNA repair through homologous recombination.

(DNA Repair Protein SWI5 Homolog, NCI Thesaurus)

This protein plays a role in non-homologous end joining during both DNA repair and V(D)J recombination.

(DNA Ligase 4, NCI Thesaurus)

The siRNA is incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which targets and degrades the homologous mRNA.

(Dicer Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Any type of genetic recombination involving exchange of DNA between non-homologous chromosomes, which often occurs as the result of non-homologous end-joining of broken DNA strands.

(Chromosomal Translocation Process, NCI Thesaurus)

The study of similarities and differences in homologous and analagous structures between different organisms.

(Comparative anatomy, NCI Thesaurus)

E-Selectin exhibits homologous structural features to L-selectin, including lectin- and EGF-like domains followed by SCR domains.

(E-Selectin, NCI Thesaurus)

MMR also suppresses homologous recombination and was recently shown to play a role in DNA damage signaling.

(Mismatch Repair Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

Non-homologous end-joining factor 1 (299 aa, ~33 kDa) is encoded by the human NHEJ1 gene.

(Nonhomologous End-Joining Factor 1, NCI Thesaurus)