Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes with structures that approximate each other will pair up together during cell division taking place in reproduction.  The genes on the chromosomes that pair together will encode similar features such as hair or eye colour. The length of homologous chromosomes is also very similar; the only exception to this being sex cells where the X chromosome is considerably longer than the Y chromosome. Chromosomes occur in pairs and one member from each pair is inherited from one parent and the other member of the pair is inherited from the other parent.