Question

select the correct answer.
an elephant has 56 chromosomes. which statement about a zygote of an elephant is true?
a. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, mostly inherited from the father.
b. the zygote has 56 chromosomes, all inherited from the mother.
c. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, all inherited from the mother.
d. the zygote has 56 chromosomes, 28 inherited from the mother and 28 from the father.
e. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, 14 inherited from the mother and 14 from the father.

Explanation:

A zygote is formed by the fusion of a sperm (from the father) and an egg (from the mother). Each of these gametes (sperm and egg) is haploid. If the elephant has 56 chromosomes in its somatic (body) cells (diploid number \(2n = 56\)), then the haploid number \(n=28\). The zygote is diploid (\(2n\)), so it has 56 chromosomes. Half (28) come from the mother (egg) and half (28) come from the father (sperm).

Answer:

D. The zygote has 56 chromosomes, 28 inherited from the mother and 28 from the father.