Question

1. what determines whether any given cell will receive a particular maternal or paternal chromosome?

Explanation:

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up. The orientation of these pairs (maternal - paternal or paternal - maternal) at the metaphase plate is random. This random orientation, also known as independent assortment, determines which maternal or paternal chromosome a given cell will receive.

Answer:

The random orientation (independent assortment) of homologous chromosome pairs at the metaphase plate during meiosis.