Homologous chromosomes carry information for the same traits, including the same genes in the same order, and may have different alleles. They exchange genetic material during recombination in meiosis I. The correct answer to the question is (a) they carry information for the same traits.
The characteristics that homologous chromosomes exhibit include carrying information for the same traits. Specifically, they:
Contain the same genes in the same linear order on each chromosome.
May carry different alleles of those genes, as one homolog comes from each parent.
Undergo a process called recombination, or crossover, during meiosis I, where segments of genetic material are exchanged without altering the gene order, mixing maternal and paternal alleles.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is (a) they carry information for the same traits.
The appropriate question is:
Which of the following characteristics do homologous chromosomes exhibit?
a) they carry information for the same traits.
b) they align on the metaphase plate in meiosis ii.
c) they carry the same alleles.
d) they carry information for different traits