Question

human gametes have 23 chromosomes. so when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, the resulting zygote contains 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes, or 46 total chromosomes. select the true statements. somatic cells contain twice as many chromosomes as gametes do. sexually reproducing organisms get half of their chromosomes from each parent. human gametes each contain 46 total chromosomes. during sexual reproduction, two haploid cells combine to form a diploid cell.

Explanation:

• Somatic cells are diploid (\(2n\)) and gametes are haploid (\(n\)). So, somatic cells contain twice as many chromosomes as gametes.
• In sexual reproduction, sperm (from father) and egg (from mother) fuse. Each gamete is haploid (\(n = 23\) in humans). So, the offspring gets half (\(n\)) from each parent.
• Human gametes are haploid. They contain \(23\) chromosomes, not \(46\).
• Gametes (sperm and egg) are haploid (\(n\)). When they fuse (fertilization), the resulting zygote is diploid (\(2n\)).

Answer:

Somatic cells contain twice as many chromosomes as gametes do.
Sexually reproducing organisms get half of their chromosomes from each parent.
During sexual reproduction, two haploid cells combine to form a diploid cell.