ORTHOLOGS Meaning and
Definition
-
Orthologs are a fundamental concept in genetics and evolutionary biology that refer to genes found in different species with a shared ancestry. Specifically, orthologs can be understood as genes in different species that have evolved from a common ancestral gene through speciation events. These genes generally have similar functions across different species and are retained because of their essential roles in biological processes.
Orthologs are essential for understanding evolutionary relationships and tracing the emergence of new traits and functions throughout the tree of life. By comparing orthologous genes in different species, scientists can infer the evolutionary patterns that have led to the diversification of life forms. Orthologs also serve as important targets for studying genetic diseases and identifying potential drug targets. The similarities between orthologous genes allow researchers to extrapolate findings from one species (usually model organisms) to other species, including humans.
The identification of orthologs is usually accomplished through sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis. This method involves aligning genetic sequences from different species and constructing a family tree based on their similarities. Orthology can then be determined by examining the branching patterns on the phylogenetic tree and identifying genes that are descended from a common ancestor. Numerous databases and computational tools are available to facilitate the identification and study of orthologs across different species, allowing scientists to investigate their functions and evolutionary significance.
Common Misspellings for ORTHOLOGS
Etymology of ORTHOLOGS
The word "orthologs" derives from the combination of two Greek roots, "ortho-" (meaning "correct" or "straight") and "-logos" (meaning "word" or "study"). In the context of biology, specifically genetics and evolutionary biology, "orthologs" refer to genes in different species that have a common ancestor. The term was first introduced in 1997 by Sydney K. Brenner, who used it to describe genes with equivalent functions in different organisms.
