Which of the Following is True Regarding Homologous Chromosomes

Question

Which of the following is true regarding homologous chromosomes?
A)They are identical.
B)They each carry copies of the same genes.
C)They carry the same alleles.
D)They align on the metaphase plate in meiosis II.
E)All human chromosomes are homologous in somatic cells.

Accepted Answer

Homologous chromosomes are not identical, but they carry copies of the same genes. This means that they have the same gene loci, or positions of genes, but may have different alleles, or versions of the same gene. Homologous chromosomes align on the metaphase plate in meiosis I, but not in meiosis II. All human chromosomes are not homologous in somatic cells, but only in pairs of two.