Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A body cell of a rice plant has chromosomes. How many pairs is that? How many chromosomes does a male gamete in its pollen carry, and how many does the zygote have?
Genes lie on chromosomes, which come in pairs in body cells. A gamete carries one chromosome of each pair, so fertilisation restores the full number and it stays constant. Genes on different chromosomes are passed on independently.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Pairs. pairs.
Step 2. The gamete. One of each pair: chromosomes.
Step 3. The zygote. chromosomes.
Answer: pairs; the gamete carries ; the zygote has .
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…