How do homologous chromosomes differ from each other?

Homologous chromosomes differ from each other primarily by their alleles, which are the different versions of genes that may occupy the same position on each chromosome. Each homologous pair consists of one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father, and while they carry the same genes at the same loci, the specific alleles can vary. For example, one chromosome may carry an allele for brown eyes, while its homologous partner might carry an allele for blue eyes. This variation in alleles contributes to genetic diversity in a population.

While other options may suggest differences between homologous chromosomes, they do not accurately reflect the fundamental distinction that is about genetic information. The genetic length and physical size can be quite similar between homologous chromosomes, and the number of centromeres is consistent as each homologous chromosome has one centromere. Therefore, the differentiation primarily lies in the specific alleles present on those chromosomes.