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Homologous chromosomes

Similar genes from different individuals

The body cells of higher animals and plants are diploid, having two copies of each chromosome, while some plant species have polyploid or multiple sets of chromosomes. The corresponding chromosomes share the same form, structure and sequence of gene loci, hence the term homologous (similar) chromosomes. However, since the genes themselves may exist in different forms (alleles), homologous chromosomes are not usually identical.