What is a key characteristic of balanced reciprocal translocation?

A balanced reciprocal translocation is characterized by the maintenance of total genetic material. In this type of genetic alteration, segments of chromosomes are exchanged between two different chromosomes without any loss of genetic material. This means that both chromosomes involved in the translocation retain their full complement of genetic information, although the arrangements of genes may be altered.

The balance refers to the fact that although the structure and arrangement of the chromosomes change, the overall amount of genetic material remains constant. This is crucial because the functioning of the genes can still occur, despite them being repositioned. It allows for the possibility of normal offspring, although there may be some implications for genetic stability during meiosis.

This contrasts sharply with other types of chromosomal rearrangements where genetic material may be lost or fused, leading to different consequences. For instance, the options involving loss of genetic material, occurrence in only one chromosome arm, or Robertsonian fusion represent different mechanisms and outcomes of chromosomal changes that do not apply to balanced reciprocal translocations.