Question

A barley plant has seven pairs of chromosomes. how many unique combinations of chromosomes can result from meiosis in barley?

Answer 1

128 different combinations of chromosomes

Step-by-step explanation:

The chances of genetic diversity or variation is increased by meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms like barley plant. This is due to a phenomenon called CROSSING-OVER, that occurs during meiosis I precisely, where chromosomes are recombined in a way that is different from the parent's, hereby promoting genetic variation among species.

The number of possible combinations of chromosomes in the resulting gametes/daughter cells can be calculated using a simple formula: 2^n where n is the number of haploid chromosomes. In the case of this wheat plant that contains 7 pairs of chromosomes or 14 chromosomes in its diploid state. It will undergo meiosis and produce haploid gametes with chromosome number of 7.

Hence, 2^7 = 128. Therefore, there are 128 possible different combinations of chromosomes in the gametes.

Answer 2

The different chromosomal combinations would be calculated using the formula;
2^n; where n is the number of different chromosomes. \
Using this formula ; when the diploid number is 14 (for 7 pairs ) will be given by; 2^7 = 128 different combinations.
It means that a barley plant which has seven pairs of chromosomes will have 128 different combinations.