Question

Which of the following statements about homologous chromosomes is correct?

a. Each gene is at the same locus on both chromosomes.
b. They are two identical copies of a parent chromosome which are attached to one another at the centromere.
c. They always produce identical phenotypes.
d. They are chromosomes that have identical genes and alleles.

Answer 1

The answer is a. Each gene is at the same locus on both chromosomes.

Since each gene is at the same locus on both chromosomes, they are able to pair correctly before they separate in meiosis. They never produce identical phenotypes. Also, the genes and alleles on the homologous chromosomes are not identical.