Homologous Pairs of Chromosomes in Human Somatic Cells

Homologous refers to chromosomes that are the same size, shape, and have the same set of genes occupying the same locations (loci; singular = locus) on each chromosome

Homologous Chromosomal Pair (unreplicated)

Homologous Chromosomal Pair (replicated)a.k.a. – tetrad (four chromatids)

Actual human chromosome pairs (22 autosomal pairs and 1 pair of sex chromosomes)from a somatic (body) cell (diploid, 2n = 46)

or

Human chromosomes (22 autosomal and 1 sex chromosome)from a gametic (germ, reproductive) cell (haploid, n

= 23)

Either “X” or “Y” found in sperm; only “X” found in egg