24.0k views
4 votes
Individuals composed of 2 or more different populations of genetically distinct cells derived from fertilized products of at least 2 sets of parents (two zygotes):

User Regof
by
8.4k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The question addresses the concept of chimerism in Biology, where an individual consists of cells with different genetic information derived from the fertilization of two separate zygotes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question refers to a biological anomaly where an organism is composed of genetically distinct cells derived from two different fertilized eggs, or zygotes, typically from separate sets of parents. This condition is known as chimerism. In normal sexual reproduction, two haploid gametes - one from each parent - combine to form a diploid zygote that contains a complete set of genetic information. The resulting offspring is genetically unique, sharing genes with both parents but typically not identical to either. The genetic composition, or genotype, determines the organism's characteristics, which are observed as its phenotype.

The gametes, which are reproductive cells like sperm and eggs, contain half the genetic material of a typical cell and are produced by germ cells in sexually reproducing individuals. When gametes from two different individuals unite during fertilization, they create a zygote with a full set of chromosomes. This zygote then undergoes numerous rounds of mitosis to develop into a multicellular organism.

User LukLed
by
7.1k points