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WAEC Biology 2017 Question 45

Question 45

Chromosomes, DNA and Sex Linkage

An apple plant can produce sexually and asexually and it has 40 chromosomes in its leaf cells. How many chromosomes would be in each gamete and somatic cell?

  1. A.20 chromosomes in the gametes and 10 in the somatic cells
  2. B.40 chromosomes in the gametes and 20 in the somatic cells
  3. C.20 chromosomes in the gametes and 40 in the somatic cells
  4. D.40 chromosomes in the gametes and 40 in the somatic cells
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (20 chromosomes in the gametes and 40 in the somatic cells)

Explanation

Leaf cells are body (somatic) cells, so somatic cells have 40 chromosomes. Gametes are made by meiosis, which halves the number to 20.