Which cell type has one set of chromosomes in animals?

Which cell type has one set of chromosomes in animals?

• A. Gametes.
• B. Somatic cells.
• C. Both have one set.
• D. Neither has one set.

Answer: (A)

In animals, the state of having one set of chromosomes is characteristic of gametes. Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome, and they’re produced by meiosis in the gonads. This is important for sexual reproduction because when two gametes unite during fertilization, their chromosome sets combine to form a diploid zygote with two copies of each chromosome. By contrast, somatic cells are diploid, carrying two homologous copies of each chromosome, and are produced by mitosis for growth and tissue maintenance. For example, humans have 23 chromosomes in a gamete and 46 in a somatic cell. Therefore, the cell type with one set of chromosomes is the gamete.

In animals, the state of having one set of chromosomes is characteristic of gametes. Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain one copy of each chromosome, and they’re produced by meiosis in the gonads. This is important for sexual reproduction because when two gametes unite during fertilization, their chromosome sets combine to form a diploid zygote with two copies of each chromosome. By contrast, somatic cells are diploid, carrying two homologous copies of each chromosome, and are produced by mitosis for growth and tissue maintenance. For example, humans have 23 chromosomes in a gamete and 46 in a somatic cell. Therefore, the cell type with one set of chromosomes is the gamete.