Number of chromosomes in a mature sex cell (sperm or egg) is:

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Multiple Choice

Number of chromosomes in a mature sex cell (sperm or egg) is:

Explanation:
Think about how human chromosomes are organized in cells. Body (somatic) cells have 46 chromosomes, arranged as 23 pairs, so they’re diploid. To allow offspring to have the normal 46 after fertilization, gametes (sperm or egg) must carry only one set of chromosomes—23 in total. This reduction happens through meiosis, which halves the chromosome number to a haploid 23. That way, when a sperm and egg fuse, the total is 46 again. So the mature sex cell contains 23 chromosomes.

Think about how human chromosomes are organized in cells. Body (somatic) cells have 46 chromosomes, arranged as 23 pairs, so they’re diploid. To allow offspring to have the normal 46 after fertilization, gametes (sperm or egg) must carry only one set of chromosomes—23 in total. This reduction happens through meiosis, which halves the chromosome number to a haploid 23. That way, when a sperm and egg fuse, the total is 46 again. So the mature sex cell contains 23 chromosomes.

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