What is the difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids?

The main differences between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids are as follows: 1. Origin and pairing: Homologous chromosomes are chromosome pairs present in diploid cells, one inherited from the father and one from the mother, which pair during prophase of meiosis. Sister chromatids (also known as sister chromosomes), on the other hand, are formed by DNA replication of a single chromosome during interphase of cell division and are joined together at the same centromere. 2. Morphology and structure: Homologous chromosomes generally have identical shape, size, and structure, whereas sister chromatids are identical in shape and size but are not derived from different parents. 3. Genetic information: Homologous chromosomes often carry different alleles, while the DNA sequences of sister chromatids are completely identical. 4. Occurrence stage: Homologous chromosomes appear in both meiosis and mitosis, whereas sister chromatids primarily appear during specific stages of mitosis and meiosis.