Question

Only the gametes contain ____ chromosomes, one chromosome of each pair, a condition called haploid. All other cells of the body are called somatic cells and these contain _______ chromosomes in 23 pairs, a condition called diploid.

a) 23, 23
b) 46, 23
c) 46, 46
d) 23, 46

Answer 1

Gametes contain 23 chromosomes and are haploid, while somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes and are diploid. Hence, the correct answer is a) 23, 46.

Step-by-step explanation:

Only the gametes contain 23 chromosomes, one chromosome of each pair, a condition called haploid. All other cells of the body are called somatic cells and these contain 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs, a condition called diploid. The correct answer to the question is a) 23, 46.

Most animals and plants are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes. In an organism's somatic cells, the nucleus contains two copies of each chromosome, called homologous chromosomes.

Diploid cells contain a full set of chromosomes - 46 in the case of humans. In contrast, haploid cells, such as gametes (sperm and eggs), have a single set of chromosomes - 23 in humans.

When a sperm and egg combine, they form a zygote with a complete set of chromosomes, returning to the diploid state. The correct option is a.