Although homologous chromosomes may differ in the variety of alleles for a particular gene they carry, they are generally identical in gene content, gene loci, overall chromosome size, and centromere placement. Homologous chromosomes synapse (pair) during meiotic division of cells.

Every human somatic cell (i.e., non-sex cell) contains two copies of each chromosome, one received from the father (paternal side) and the other from the mother (maternal side). In humans, this means a set of 23 chromosomes inherited from each parent. Therefore, human somatic cells contain 22 homologous autosomic pairs, and the other two are a pair of X chromosomes (females) or a XY pair (males). What characterizes chromosomal homologies are the similar shape of chromosomes and their genetic content, with each corresponding gene localized in the same position in the two chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes have the same function in the cells.

During gametogenesis, which produces gametes...