4/30/22, 1:33 PM Difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids - Biology Forum

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Difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids

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 August 9, 2021 at 8:13 am #118457

What are Homologous Chromosomes?

How to define homologous chromosomes? Homologous chromosomes by definition in
Nadine Omar
biology are chromosomes that pair during meiosis I, particularly, in metaphase where one
Participant of the chromosomes carrying maternal information pairs with the other chromosome
carrying paternal information. 

The pattern in each pair of homologous chromosomes is the same since each copy
contains the same number of genes arranged in the same order. However, the same or
different alleles may be present on each chromosome. Therefore, the organism may be
heterozygous or homozygous for a certain trait. 

A single homologous chromosome is referred to as a homologue. In each pair, the position

and length of centromeres are the same. In humans, 22 homologous autosome pairs are
present together with 2 sex chromosomes. 

Sex chromosomes are homologous in the case of females since X and X chromosomes are
present, unlike males in which different chromosomes X and Y are present. Random
segregation occurs during homologous chromosome pairing where both chromosomes
participate in the recombination process by exchanging their DNA to produce random
combinations of genetic material from homologous chromosomes. Therefore, genetic
variation is significant in organisms that reproduce sexually to facilitate the evolutionary
process. After their separation, homologous chromosomes produce four daughter haploid
cells at the end of meiosis.

What are Sister Chromatids?

What is a chromatid? It is a single copy of a replicated chromosome that is identical to
another chromatid. 

How to define sister chromatids?

In biology, sister chromatids are the chromatids formed by the replicated chromosome
where it forms two identical sister chromatids. Sister chromatids result in the replication of
DNA during the interphase. They are separated during anaphase of mitosis and meiosis II.
Sister chromatids are joined at the centromere. Are sister chromatids homologous? Sister
chromatids are genetically identical so they are not considered to be homologous. 

Difference Between Homologous

Chromosomes and Sister Chromatids
DNA is the genetic material of most organisms. Homologous chromosomes are two copies
of similar chromosomes. They appear in pairs during metaphase I of meiotic cell division.
What are chromatids? sister chromatids are two identical copies formed during the
interphase of DNA replication. The main difference between sister chromatids and
homologous chromosomes is that sister chromatids contain the same information while
homologous chromosomes may contain different information. 

Homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids are composed of DNA strands, But what
is the main function of homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids that
differentiate them from one another? Homologous chromosomes are used during
reproduction to make a new organism, they are responsible for genetic variation among
sexually reproduced organisms during crossing over and exchanging random genetic 
material. While sister chromatids are significant during the mitotic division of cells like
making new skin cells to heal wounds.

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4/30/22, 1:33 PM Difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids - Biology Forum

Homologous chromosomes vs sister chromatids – in your opinion, what are

other major differences?

Content
Homologous chromosomes are composed of paternal and maternal chromosomes (non-
sister chromatids). Homologous chromosomes have the same position of the centromere,
loci, genetic sequence, and length of chromosomes. But homologous chromosomes may
have different alleles. They are formed during fertilization to allow genetic recombination
between their non-sister chromatids. 

Sister chromatids are two identical copies of one chromosome so they come from one
source only, either paternal or maternal source. 

Figure 1: difference in composition of homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids. 

Learn more about homologous chromosomes here:

https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/homologous-chromosome

Genetic Composition
Do homologous chromosomes have the same genes? The genetic sequence of homologous
chromosomes might differ sometimes because homologous chromosomes sometimes
contain different alleles. Therefore, the chromatids of homologous chromosomes are
known as non-sister chromatids.

Sister chromatids always contain identical sequences of genes within chromatids forming
them. 

Appearance 

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4/30/22, 1:33 PM Difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids - Biology Forum

Homologous chromosomes are formed during the metaphase of meiosis I while sister
chromatids appear during the S phase of interphase in the replication of DNA.  

Similarity
Are homologous chromosomes identical? homologous pairs are slightly different in their
genetic information since one homologous chromosome is maternal and the other is
paternal. Therefore, they are not identical to increase the variation of the genetic material
of each gamete.

Sister chromatids are identical; they are formed of the same allele in both strands since
they are formed by the replication of a DNA strand. 

Joining
Homologous chromosomes are found in pairs so they are not attached together. 

Sister chromatids stick together. 

Do you know the name of their point of attachment?

1-centrosome

2-centriole 

3-cytocenter

4-centromere

Number of DNA Strands

Homologous chromosomes are found in two pairs; so they are made up of four strands of
DNA.

Each sister chromatid is composed of only one strand of DNA. 

Separation
Homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids usually segregate during anaphases. 

When do homologous chromosomes separate? 

Homologous chromosomes are separated in meiosis anaphase I. 

How are sister chromatids physically separated during the cell cycle? Sister chromatids
separate during anaphase by enzymatic breakdown of their cohesion at the centromere.
After separation, each chromatid acts as an independent chromosome. Sister chromatids
are segregated from the centromere during mitosis anaphase as well as meiosis II
anaphase. 

Function
During metaphase I, homologous chromosomes allow genetic recombination and random
segregation of segregated chromosomes. 

During meiosis metaphase II and mitosis metaphase, sister chromatids allow crossover of
chromosomes and segregation of chromatids randomly.  

Comment below if you want to know more about homologous chromosomes

application or your questions about homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids!
Let’s discuss!

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4/30/22, 1:33 PM Difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids - Biology Forum

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