Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 40m
2. Chemistry3h 40m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 41m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 20m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport2m
- Water Potential
  2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System10m
- Digestion
  3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 57m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System4m
- Endocrine System
  4m
44. Animal Reproduction2m
- Animal Reproduction
  2m
45. Nervous System55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

12. Meiosis

Homologous Chromosomes

General Biology

12. Meiosis

Homologous Chromosomes

1:37 minutes

Problem 1aFreeman - 7th Edition

Textbook Question

What are homologous chromosomes? a. chromosomes that are similar in their size, shape, and gene content b. similar chromosomes that are found in different individuals of the same species c. the two chromatids in a replicated chromosome d. any chromosome in a diploid cell

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the term 'homologous chromosomes'. Homologous chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes, one from each parent, that have the same length, gene position, and centromere location. The chromosomes carry genes for the same traits in the same order but the genes may contain different genetic information.

Step 2: Look at option a. This option states that homologous chromosomes are similar in their size, shape, and gene content. This is true as homologous chromosomes are similar in these aspects.

Step 3: Look at option b. This option states that homologous chromosomes are similar chromosomes found in different individuals of the same species. This is not entirely accurate. While it's true that individuals of the same species have similar sets of chromosomes, the term 'homologous chromosomes' specifically refers to the pair of chromosomes in an individual organism.

Step 4: Look at option c. This option states that homologous chromosomes are the two chromatids in a replicated chromosome. This is incorrect. The two chromatids in a replicated chromosome are identical and are called sister chromatids, not homologous chromosomes.

Step 5: Look at option d. This option states that any chromosome in a diploid cell is a homologous chromosome. This is not accurate. While it's true that diploid cells contain homologous pairs of chromosomes, not every chromosome in a diploid cell is part of a homologous pair.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Homologous Chromosomes

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes in a diploid organism that have the same structure, size, and gene content. One chromosome of each pair is inherited from each parent, and they carry the same genes at the same loci, although the alleles (versions of the genes) may differ. This similarity is crucial for processes like meiosis, where homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material.

Diploid Cells

Diploid cells contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, represented as 2n. In humans, for example, diploid cells have 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 homologous pairs. This diploid state is essential for sexual reproduction, as it allows for genetic diversity through the combination of maternal and paternal genes during fertilization.

Chromatids

Chromatids are the two identical halves of a replicated chromosome, which are joined together at a region called the centromere. During cell division, specifically mitosis and meiosis, chromatids separate to ensure that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. While chromatids are crucial for understanding chromosome behavior during division, they are not the same as homologous chromosomes, which refer to the paired chromosomes themselves.