• In?diploid?cells there are two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus
• Chromosomes?have a characteristic shape
  • They have a?fixed length
  • The?position of the centromere?is in a particular location
• These characteristic features allow for each chromosome to be identified in a photomicrograph
• In photomicrographs chromosomes are often grouped into their homologous pairs
• Homologous?chromosomes:
  • Carry the?same genes in the same positions
  • Are the?same shape
• During fertilization a diploid?zygote?is formed
  • In a zygote one chromosome of each homologous pair comes from the female gamete and the other comes from the male gamete
• Having the same genes in the same order helps homologous chromosomes line up alongside each other during meiosis

Human Karyogram showing homologous chromosomes