What is homology?
Homology is the similarity in structure, physiology or development of organisms based on their evolution from a common ancestor [1]. Homologs have a high degree of sequence similarity [2].
Finding the protein homologs of NTRK1
HomoloGene was used to identify the homologous proteins of NTRK1. The six species highlighted in this homology analysis are: chimpanzee, chicken, cattle, mouse, zebra fish and Arabidopsis.
NTRK1 Protein Reverence Pages
NTRK1 Homologs Protein Reference Pages
Discussion
Pairwise alignment and blast scores were used to determine the percent identity of each protein homolog. The higher the percent identity the greater the similarities between protein sequences. The chimpanzee has the highest percent identity, which makes sense because chimpanzees are humans' closest evolutionary relatives. A protein BLAST was used to find a homolog in Arabidopsis, which is why the percent identity is 100% even though Arabidopsis is less related to humans than chimpanzees.
References
[1] "homology." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/270557/homology>.
[2] "Gene Similarity: Some Definitions." Gene Similarity: Some Definitions. J. H. Jackson Laboratory, 08 Apr. 1999. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
[2] "Gene Similarity: Some Definitions." Gene Similarity: Some Definitions. J. H. Jackson Laboratory, 08 Apr. 1999. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.