If you compare a sperm cell in a human to a skin cell from the same individual,
ID: 163030 • Letter: I
Question
If you compare a sperm cell in a human to a skin cell from the same individual, which of the following differences would you expect to find? Select one: The sperm cell would contain only one allele for a given gene, the skin cell would contain two alleles. Both sperm and skin cells may carry different alleles for an individual gene. The sperm cell would contain four alleles for a given gene; the skin cell would contain two alleles. Both sperm and skin cells would contain 46 chromosomes found as homologous pairs.Explanation / Answer
Choice a is correct.
Reason: Humans are diploid organisms which means that they contain a double set of chromosomes in all their somatic cells. Generally, the diploid set of chromosomes i.e. 2n number in humans is 46 which means that every somatic cell contains a doublet set of chromosomes. Each of these chromosomes thus represents for one allele of a gene. Thus, the somatic cells contain two alleles for a gene. On the contrary, the gametes or the germ cells carry only a single set of chromosomes and are called haploid in nature. They contain only 23 chromosomes thus carry only a single allele for a gene.
The skin cells are somatic in nature ie their 2n is 46 and contain two alleles per gene. On the other hand, the sperms represents gametes and contain only 23 chromosomes thus carry a single allele for every gene.