Final answer:
A diploid cell with six chromosomes can have eight possible configurations of homologous chromosomes during metaphase of meiosis I, as the number of arrangements is determined by the formula 2 to the power of the number of chromosomes per set (n=3, thus 2^3=8).
Step-by-step explanation:
If a diploid cell contains six chromosomes, which means three per set (n=3), the number of possible random arrangements of homologs during metaphase of meiosis I can be calculated using the formula 2n, where n is the number of chromosomes per haploid set. In this case, the formula would be 23, which equals 8. Therefore, there are eight different possible arrangements of homologous chromosomes that can occur during metaphase I of meiosis in a cell with three chromosomes per set.
In organisms like humans, with 23 pairs of chromosomes, this results in over eight million (223) possible genetically-distinct gametes from the random alignment of chromosomes during metaphase I. This variety, along with further variability from crossing over, ensures a high level of genetic diversity in sexually reproducing populations.