What are pairs of chromosomes called that carry the same sequence of genes?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that carry the same sequence of genes, though they may contain different alleles for some of those genes. Each homologous pair consists of one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father, and these chromosomes are similar in size, shape, and genetic content.

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes play a crucial role in genetic diversity through the processes of recombination and independent assortment. Because they contain the same genes in the same order, they can align during metaphase I of meiosis and exchange genetic material, a process known as crossing over. This exchange contributes to the genetic variability among offspring.

In contrast, heterologous chromosomes refer to chromosomes that do not share the same genes or characteristics. Sister chromatids are identical copies of a single chromosome that are joined together at the centromere, produced during DNA replication. Diploid chromosomes refer to the complete set of chromosomes that an organism has, which includes homologous pairs, but this term does not specifically describe the relationship of gene sequences between the chromosomes. Thus, the definition of homologous chromosomes accurately fits the description provided in the question.