In sexually reproducing organisms, how many chromosomes do gametes have relative to body cells?

Study for the 9th Grade Biology SOL Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In sexually reproducing organisms, how many chromosomes do gametes have relative to body cells?

Explanation:
In sexually reproducing organisms, the chromosome number is kept constant across generations by producing gametes with half the number of chromosomes as body cells. This reduction happens during meiosis, so gametes are haploid (n) while body cells are diploid (2n). When a sperm and egg fuse during fertilization, the zygote restores the diploid chromosome number. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes in body cells but 23 in gametes. So gametes have half as many chromosomes as body cells.

In sexually reproducing organisms, the chromosome number is kept constant across generations by producing gametes with half the number of chromosomes as body cells. This reduction happens during meiosis, so gametes are haploid (n) while body cells are diploid (2n). When a sperm and egg fuse during fertilization, the zygote restores the diploid chromosome number. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes in body cells but 23 in gametes. So gametes have half as many chromosomes as body cells.

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