Chapter 10.2, Problem 1CC

Summary Introduction

DNA is genetic material, consisting of a long stretch of nucleotide. The DNA is packed into a structure known as chromosomes. Each chromosome contains one DNA molecule that is associated with several proteins. For example, twenty-three pairs of chromosomes (total 46) are present in human DNA. A single set of 23 chromosomes is termed as a genome. Haploid – a single set of chromosomes (n). Human haploid cells having one set of chromosomes (23 chromosomes). The egg or sperm cells contain only half of the chromosomes (23 chromosomes). Haploid cells or gametes use meiosis for their cell division. After fertilization, the haploid cells are transferred to the next generation resulting in the formation of the diploid cell (2n). If human cells carry 23 pairs of chromosomes are known as the diploid (2n) cells (for example, somatic cells).