Question

What is meant by homologous chromosomes?

Answer 1

Homologous chromosomes are chromosome pairs. They are alike each other in size and centromere position. The position of the genes on each chromosome is the same, but the genes do not necessarily have the same alleles within.

Answer 2

Answer:

Chromosomes are found in pairs

Explanation:

Homologous chromosomes are chromosome pairs similar in lenght, gene positioning and centromere location but non-identical. They are donated by each parent (make and female). They are non-identical in the sense that the alleles on each pair may be different. For example, the chromosome donated by a female pea plant may contain a yellow allele for a particular gene while that donated by the male pea plant may contain a green allele.

A karyotype (a pictorial display of chromosomal arrangement) shows that in a diploid organism like humans, chromosomes are in two complete sets. Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes in which every chromosome pair represents a set of homologous chromosomes.

In each pair of chromosome, one chromosome is contributed by the male parent while the other by the female parent. In total, each parent contributes 23 chromosomes via gametes to form a total of 23pairs or 46chromosomes.