Which chromosomes are involved in a Robertsonian translocation?

A Robertsonian translocation involves the fusion of two acrocentric chromosomes, which are chromosomes that have a centromere located near one end, resulting in a long arm and a very short arm. This type of chromosomal rearrangement typically occurs when two acrocentric chromosomes break near their centromeres, leading to the formation of a single chromosome that contains the long arms of the two original chromosomes and eliminates the short arms. Acrocentric chromosomes include those such as chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 in humans.

This type of translocation is significant in genetics and can have implications for the inheritance of specific genetic traits and diseases. By fusing the chromosomes, there may be a resultant genetic balance that can lead to viable offspring, but it can also increase the risk of producing gametes with unbalanced genetic material, which may lead to disorders such as Down syndrome.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of Robertsonian translocations. Not all chromosomes engage in this specific type of structural rearrangement, nor do only sex chromosomes uniquely interact in this way. Homologous chromosomes, while they can engage in processes like crossing over during meiosis, do not specifically describe the dynamics observed in