Ch. 13 - Meiosis

Problem 3

Chapter 13, Problem 3

What proportion of chromosomes in a man's skin cell are maternal chromosomes?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the basics of chromosome inheritance. In humans, we have 46 chromosomes in total. These chromosomes are in pairs, so we have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome from each pair is inherited from the mother (maternal), and the other one is inherited from the father (paternal).

Step 2: Calculate the proportion of maternal chromosomes. Since one chromosome from each pair is maternal, half of the chromosomes in a cell are maternal. Therefore, the proportion of maternal chromosomes in a cell is 1/2 or 50%.

Step 3: Apply this understanding to the specific question. In a man's skin cell, which is a somatic cell and contains 46 chromosomes, half of these chromosomes (23 out of 46) are maternal.

Step 4: Express this as a proportion. The proportion of maternal chromosomes in a man's skin cell is therefore 23/46, which simplifies to 1/2 or 50%.

Step 5: Final answer. Therefore, the proportion of chromosomes in a man's skin cell that are maternal chromosomes is 50%.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are long, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins that carry genetic information. In humans, each cell typically contains 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 pairs. One chromosome of each pair is inherited from the mother, and the other from the father, making them crucial for understanding genetic inheritance.

Diploid Cells

Human somatic cells, such as skin cells, are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes—one from each parent. This results in a total of 46 chromosomes in these cells. Understanding the diploid nature of somatic cells is essential for determining the proportion of maternal and paternal chromosomes.

Maternal and Paternal Chromosomes

In the context of human genetics, maternal chromosomes refer to the chromosomes inherited from the mother, while paternal chromosomes are those inherited from the father. In a diploid cell, half of the chromosomes (23 out of 46) are maternal, which is key to answering questions about genetic contributions from each parent.

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Homologous Chromosomes

Related Practice

Textbook Question

What are homologous chromosomes? a. chromosomes that are similar in their size, shape, and gene content b. similar chromosomes that are found in different individuals of the same species c. the two chromatids in a replicated chromosome d. any chromosome in a diploid cell

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Textbook Question

What is an outcome of genetic recombination? a. the synapsing of homologs during prophase of meiosis I b. the new combination of maternal and paternal chromosome segments that results when homologs cross over c. the new combinations of chromosome segments that result when self-fertilization occurs d. the combination of a haploid phase and a diploid phase in a life cycle

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Textbook Question

Nondisjunction that leads to problems in offspring can occur in: a. mitosis b. meiosis I only c. meiosis I and II d. mitosis, meiosis I, and meiosis II

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Textbook Question

Select True or False for each statement. T/F Sister chromatids are homologous chromosomes. T/F Non-sister chromatids are found on two different homologs. T/F Crossing over occurs between sister chromatids. T/F A chiasma forms between two of the four molecules of double-stranded DNA on duplicated homologous chromosomes.

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Textbook Question

If you followed a woman's cells through meiosis, at what stage of meiosis would the amount of DNA in one of these cells be equal to the amount of DNA in one of her G1 phase (before DNA replication) kidney cells?

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