Question

The term "homologous chromosomes"

• A. refers to replications of the same chromosome
• B. is another name for sister chromatids
• C. must be haploid
• D. means a pair of chromosomes of the same kind

Answer 1

The correct option is D means a pair of chromosomes of the same kind

In a cell, the chromosomes are of two sets: one of which is derived from the mother and the other is from the father. The chromosomes that have the same gene sequences are paired during meiosis. This pairing (called synapsis) happens between chromosomes that are homologous, i.e. chromosomes having the same genes at the same loci but possibly different alleles.
A human cell contains 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes: 22 of them are homologous non-sex chromosomes (or autosomes) and 1 homologous pair of sex chromosomes. In females, the homologous sex chromosomes are 2 X’s; in males the X and Y chromosomes.