Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

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What are homologous chromosomes?

Chromosomes that can be found in somatic cells
Chromosomes containing different information
Chromosomes that contain the same genes
Chromosomes that are identical copies of each other

The correct answer is: Chromosomes that contain the same genes

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes but may have different alleles, or versions of those genes. These chromosomes are similar in size, shape, and the sequence of genes they carry, but the genetic information they hold can vary. This variation is crucial for genetic diversity, as it contributes to the different traits that can be expressed in an organism. In humans, for instance, one chromosome of each pair is inherited from the mother and one from the father, and they may each carry different variations of certain genes. This concept is foundational to understanding topics like inheritance, genetic variation, and meiosis, where homologous chromosomes separate to ensure that gametes (sperm and eggs) carry only one allele for each gene. The other choices do not accurately capture this definition: somatic cells can contain homologous chromosomes, but that does not define what they are; different information within chromosomes suggests a lack of commonality, which contradicts the definition; and identical copies refer to sister chromatids, which are not the same as homologous chromosomes.