What is a homologous trait?
Q: What is a homologous trait?
A: A homologous trait is any characteristic derived from a common ancestor by evolution.
Q: How does a homologous trait differ from an analogous trait?
A: A homologous trait is different from an analogous trait because similarities between organisms with homologous traits occurred due to evolution from a common ancestor, while organisms with analogous traits evolved separately.
Q: Who first used the idea of homology?
A: The pre-Darwinian naturalists Cuvier, Geoffroy, and Richard Owen initially used the idea of homology.
Q: When did homology get its modern meaning?
A: Homology received its modern meaning after Darwin established the concept of common descent in 1859.
Q: What is a homologue in genetics?
A: In genetics, the term "homologue" refers both to a homologous protein and to the gene encoding it, which is a DNA sequence.
Q: What is another term for a homologous trait?
A: Homologous traits are often referred to as homologues or homologs.
Q: What is the difference between a homologous protein and a gene?
A: A homologous protein is a protein that shares structural and functional similarities with another protein due to originating from a common ancestor. A gene, on the other hand, is the sequence of DNA that encodes the protein.
