How do homologous chromosomes differ from sister chromatids?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that consist of one chromosome from each parent, and although they carry the same types of genes, they can possess different alleles for those genes, which means they are similar but not identical. This distinction is significant in genetic variation and inheritance.

Sister chromatids, on the other hand, are two identical copies of a single chromosome that are formed during DNA replication. They are exact duplicates and contain the same genetic information, ensuring that each daughter cell receives the same genetic material during cell division.

The clarity in the difference between these two types of chromosome structures is particularly important during the various stages of cell division, such as meiosis and mitosis, where the behavior of homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids dictates the course of genetic inheritance and variation.