'homoplasmic' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'homo-' meaning 'same' and 'plasma' meaning 'something molded or formed', with the suffix '-ic' forming an adjective.

'homoplasmic' was formed in modern scientific English from the combination of Greek roots and suffixes to describe a genetic state.

Initially, it referred to 'having the same form or substance', but in modern biology, it specifically means 'having identical copies of genetic material within a cell or organism'.