homology
English
Etymology
In topology, first used by French polymath Henri Poincaré, in the sense (close to what is now called a bordism) of a relation between manifolds mapped into a reference manifold: that is, the property of such manifolds that they form the boundary of a higher-dimensional manifold inside the reference manifold. Poincaré's version was eventually replaced by the more general singular homology, which is what mathematicians now mean by homology.[1]
Noun
homology (countable and uncountable, plural homologies)
- A homologous relationship.
- (topology) A theory associating a system of groups to each topological space.
- (algebra) A certain system of groups associated to a chain complex.
- (chemistry) The relationship between the elements in the same group of the periodic table, or between organic compounds in a homologous series.
- (evolutionary theory) A correspondence of structures in two life forms with a common evolutionary origin, such as flippers and hands.
- (genetics) The presence of the same series of bases in related genes.
Usage notes
- Like many terms that start with a non-silent h but have emphasis on their second syllable, some people precede homology with an, others with a.
- (evolutionary theory):
- For a discussion of the use of the term homology (and homologous) in biology, see: Patterson, Colin. "Homology in Classical and Molecular Biology." Molecular Biology and Evolution 5, no. 6 (November 1988): 603–625. http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/5/6/603.pdf (accessed 18 December 2009; archived 18 December 2009, http://www.webcitation.org/5m7rn4rCe )
- (topology):
- When used attributively with the name of a topological space (such as in the terms homology n-sphere and homology manifold) the reference is to a space whose homology is the same as that of the named space: thus, for example, a homology manifold is a space whose homology is that of some manifold.
- Sometimes used to mean homology group: thus, X did Y by computing the homology of Z means X did Y by computing the homology groups of Z.[1]
- More loosely, the term homology in a space refers to a singular homology group (group of singular homologies).[1]
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
homologous relationship
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biology: correspondence of structures in two life forms with a common evolutionary origin
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chemistry: relationship between the elements in the same group of the periodic table
mathematics: theory associating a system of quotient groups to each topological space
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mathematics: system of quotient groups associated to a topological space
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
See also
Eilenberg–Steenrod axioms on Wikipedia.Wikipedia - Singular homology on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Homology on Wolfram MathWorld