Question

after one egg cell and one sperm cell unite during fertilization to produce a zygote, the zygote copies its dna and undergoes mitosis to divide into two daughter cells. then, the two daughter cells each copy their dna and divide again. this process repeats until the zygote has transformed into the multitude of somatic cells that make up a fully developed organism. decide whether each statement describes a gamete, a zygote, or both. contains two sets of homologous chromosomes contains one allele for each gene undergoes mitosis repeatedly to produce a fully developed organism is diploid contains half the number of chromosomes as a somatic cell

Explanation:

• Contains two sets of homologous chromosomes: Zygote. A zygote is formed by the fusion of sperm (haploid) and egg (haploid). Sperm and egg each contribute one set of chromosomes, so the zygote has two sets (diploid).
• Contains one allele for each gene: Gamete. Gametes (sperm and egg) are haploid. In a haploid cell, for each gene, there is only one allele (since there is only one set of chromosomes).
• Undergoes mitosis repeatedly to produce a fully - developed organism: Zygote. As described in the text, after fertilization, the zygote undergoes mitosis to develop into a multicellular organism.
• Is diploid: Zygote. A diploid cell has two sets of chromosomes. Since the zygote is formed by the fusion of two haploid (n) gametes (sperm and egg), its chromosome number is 2n (diploid).
• Contains half the number of chromosomes as a somatic cell: Gamete. Somatic cells are diploid (2n). Gametes are produced by meiosis, and their chromosome number is n (half of that of somatic cells).

Answer:

• Contains two sets of homologous chromosomes: Zygote
• Contains one allele for each gene: Gamete
• Undergoes mitosis repeatedly to produce a fully developed organism: Zygote
• Is diploid: Zygote
• Contains half the number of chromosomes as a somatic cell: Gamete