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Describe the chromosomal difference between sex cells and a zygote (fertilized egg)/ body cells

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Answer:

The main difference between sex cells and zygote is the chromosomal charge, where the sex cells have half of the chromosomes haploid and the zygote has the full load, is diploid, as well as the body cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ploidy is based on the number of chromosomes found in a cell:

  • If the cell contains the full charge of chromosomes it is called a diploid (2n). This occurs in body cells and in the zygote.
  • When a cell contains half the charge of chromosomes, it is called haploid (n), and it only occurs in gametes or sex cells.

The reason for this difference is that the gametes go through a process of reductional division, called meiosis. They are haploid because when the gametes of the parents unite —during fertilization— they give rise to a haploid cell, the zygote.

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