Table of Contents
The word for today is…
homologous (adjective):
1a : having the same relative position, value, or structure: such as
a biology : having the same or allelic genes with genetic loci usually arranged in the same order homologous chromosomes
b chemistry : belonging to or consisting of a chemical series whose successive members have a regular difference in composition especially of one methylene group
2 biology : derived from or developed in response to organisms of the same species
Source : Merriam -Webster
Etymology : In his famous discussion of the panda’s thumb, Stephen Jay Gould carefully explains how this thumb is not homologous to the human thumb. Although the two digits are used in much the same way (the panda’s thumb is essential for stripping bamboo of its tasty leaves, the staple of the panda’s diet), the panda’s thumb developed from a bone in its wrist and is an addition to the five “fingers” of its paw. The tiny stirrup and anvil bones of our inner ear, however, do seem to be homologous with the bones that allow a garter snake to swallow a frog whole.
If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.
