The homolog of the #3 chromosome is the X-chromosome Y-chromosome other #3 chromosome chromosome that synapses with the #3 chromosome during mitosis Solution Ans. Each diploid organism inherits 2 copies of a chromosome (here, chromosome number 3 or #3) – one from its mother and another from father. That is, a human has two copies of #3 chromosomes- inherited one copy from each parent. For simplicity of clarification, we represent mater chromosome as #3M and fraternal chromosome as #3F Now, note the following events carefully – I. When a cell prepares for meiosis, it duplicates it chromosomes. That is now there are 2 copies of #3M (one old, one new copy) and 2 copies of #3F (one old, one new copy) chromosomes, too. II. Both the copies of #3M remain joined together with the help of cohesion rings. Both the chromosomes, old #3M and new #3M are called sister chromatids of each other. III. So, after S-phase, there are two pairs of sister chromatids – one #3M pair (has two #3 sister chromatids joined together by cohesin rings) and one #3F pair. IV. In Leptotene stage prophase I of meiosis 1, for the first time in meiotic cell cycle, the term “homologous chromosomes” is used. Here, the term mean “. A pair of genetically similar chromosomes having same genes on same loci are called homologous chromosomes or homologues”. It means chromosomes #3M and #3F are homologues chromosomes because they share the same gene loci – IRRESPECTIVE of whether synapsis has occurred or not. V. Note that synapsis occurs in zygotene stage, (after leptotene stage in sequence). VI. No doubt, the homologous chromosomes undergo synapsis during meiosis, but #3M and #3F are called homologous chromosomes even if they don’t synapse (say, for a hypothetical condition) because they same genes on same loci. Therefore, the term “synapsis” is not required to mention two chromosomes as homologous chromosomes- it is the character of “sharing same gene loci” that makes two chromosomes homologous. Thus, correct option is- C. other #3 chromosome. Note: Different texts may discriminate the term differently. It the best possible explanations presented here..