Question

Homo sapiens have 23 pairs of chromosomes. What does the number '23' represent here?

a) The total number of chromosomes
b) The number of autosomes
c) The number of sex chromosomes
d) The number of homologous pairs

Answer 1

The number '23' represents the number of homologous pairs of chromosomes in Homo sapiens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number '23' in the context of Homo sapiens having 23 pairs of chromosomes represents d) the number of homologous pairs. In human cells, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, with each chromosome in one pair being matched by a chromosome of the same type in the other pair. These pairs consist of chromosomes of similar size and shape that contain the same genes but may have different alleles. The 23rd pair of chromosomes, known as the sex chromosomes, can be either XY or XX.