Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

homology

noun

həˈmɒlədʒi

Definition

Homology refers to the relationship between different structures that share a common ancestry or origin, often observed in biological contexts.

Examples

The wings of bats and the arms of humans are considered homologous structures because they evolved from a common ancestor.
In molecular biology, scientists study the homology of DNA sequences to understand evolutionary relationships.

Meaning

In biology, homology indicates similarity due to shared ancestry, whereas in mathematics, it refers to the properties of space that remain invariant under continuous transformations.