102k views
4 votes
the cat, felis domestica, has a diploid number of 38 chromosomes in its somatics cell. consisting of 19 homologous pairs ( that is 19 maternal and 19 paternal chromosomes). a student stated that only one fourth of the gametes produced by meiosis in this animal will have all of its chromosomes from either maternal or paternal origin. explain wether you think the student is right or wrong

User Finebel
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is incorrect. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up and can undergo crossing over, where genetic material can be exchanged between maternal and paternal chromosomes. This results in the formation of genetically unique haploid cells (gametes) with a combination of chromosomes from both maternal and paternal origin.

In the case of a diploid organism with 19 homologous pairs, the total possible combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes in the gametes is 2^19, or approximately 524,000. This means that there are a large number of possible combinations of chromosomes that can end up in a gamete, making it unlikely for all of the chromosomes in a gamete to come from either maternal or paternal origin.

Therefore, the correct statement is that only a small fraction of the gametes produced by meiosis in this animal will have all of its chromosomes from either maternal or paternal origin, while the majority of the gametes will have a combination of chromosomes from both maternal and paternal origin.

User Brian Kent
by
8.2k points