Final answer:
After fertilization, the fertilized egg cell contains pairs of chromosomes that are called homologous chromosomes since they contain essentially the same genes in the same order.
Step-by-step explanation:
After fertilization, the fertilized egg cell contains pairs of chromosomes that are called homologous chromosomes since they contain essentially the same genes in the same order.
In humans, one set of 23 chromosomes is present in the egg donated by the mother, while the father provides the other set of 23 chromosomes in the sperm. These two sets of chromosomes form pairs and are referred to as homologous chromosomes.
During meiosis, the homologous chromosomes form tetrads and line up at the metaphase plate in a random orientation. This results in the independent assortment of the chromosomes, allowing for genetic variability in offspring.