The term homologous derives from the Greek word for ‘agreement’. Homologous chromosomes are chromosomes which have similar structures and thus will pair together when meiosis occurs (meiosis is a type of cell division). Each parent of an individual will inherit a pair of chromosomes from his or her parents which are grouped into homologous pairs. We inherit 23 chromosomes from one parent which pair with 23 chromosomes from the other parent. These chromosomes make us the way we are; they encode eye colour, hair colour and other characteristics.

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