When a reciprocal translocation occurs, part of one chromosome is exchanged with a part of another chromosome
For example, one half of Chromosome 3 may now be found fused to Chromosome 10, and part of Chromosome 10 is now found fused to Chromosome 3. In a balanced reciprocal translocation, an even exchange of material occurs such that no genetic information is extra or missing. Individuals can carry balanced reciprocal translocations and be quite healthy.
Consider the case where a gamete containing a balanced reciprocal translocation of a single chromosome is used to fertilize a genetically normal egg. Explain why individuals carrying a single balanced reciprocal translocation might have problems with chromosome segregation during meiosis but not in mitosis.
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair to form bivalents. The chromosomes with the translocations will have difficulty pairing with the homologous chromosomes of normal structure during meiosis. However, during mitosis, there is no need for the homologous chromosomes to interact.
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