Final answer:
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes but may have different alleles. We have homologous chromosome pairs because we inherit one chromosome from each parent. Autosomes are chromosomes that contain genes unrelated to sex, while sex chromosomes determine an individual's sex.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes but may have different alleles. We have homologous chromosome pairs because we inherit one chromosome from each parent. Autosomes are chromosomes that contain genes unrelated to sex, while sex chromosomes determine an individual's sex. Homologous chromosomes refer to any pair of chromosomes that are the same in both males and females, while non-homologous chromosomes are the sex chromosomes, which differ between males and females.