Final answer:
The Philadelphia chromosome is a result of a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, leading to chronic myelogenous leukemia. It produces an oncogenic tyrosine kinase that encourages cancer cell growth and can be identified during meiosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Philadelphia chromosome occurs as a result of a chromosomal abnormality involving a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. This translocation leads to the creation of an abnormally fused chromosome, which is associated with the development of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This condition results in the production of the BCR-abl fusion protein, an oncogenic tyrosine kinase that is implicated in the proliferation of cancerous cells.
Chromosome translocations like these can be identified during cell division, specifically meiosis, as chromosomes must contort to maintain gene alignment despite rearrangements. Such large scale mutations are important in the study of genetics and the development of targeted therapies for conditions like CML.