How many chromosomes are in sperm or egg cell if when they come together to form fertilized zygote there are 46 chromosomes??

Question

asked Jul 25, 2020 40.4k views

2 Answers

GameZelda · Answer 1 · 2020-07-31T12:55:33+0000

Answer:

23 chromosomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

46 chromosomes is known as the diploid number of chromosomes in the body cell.
Somatic cells or body cells contain diploid number of chromosomes.
Diploid means they have two sets of each chromosome.
However, the gamete cells (sperms and ovum) contain haploid number of chromosomes which is equivalent to 23 chromosomes.
A cell with haploid number of chromosome has only one set of chromosomes.
Therefore, during fertilization they fuse to form a fertilized zygote with 46 chromosomes (diploid number).