Chapter 10: Problem 6

Can an embryo have an abnormal number of chromosomes? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Yes, an embryo can have an abnormal number of chromosomes. This can occur due to errors during cell division, such as meiosis or mitosis, which result in gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes. When these gametes combine during fertilization, the embryo inherits the abnormal chromosome count. The consequences of having an abnormal number of chromosomes can impact an individual's physical, mental, and developmental abilities and lead to conditions like Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, or Klinefelter syndrome.

Step by step solution

Understand normal and abnormal number of chromosomes

In humans, a normal embryo has 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. Chromosomes are thread-like structures made of DNA and protein that carry genetic information. An abnormal number of chromosomes means having more or less than the typical 46 chromosomes.

Instances leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes

An abnormal number of chromosomes can occur due to errors during cell division, such as meiosis (the process that creates sex cells) or mitosis (the process that creates other cells). One common cause of errors during meiosis is nondisjunction, which happens when chromosomes fail to separate properly during cell division. This can result in gametes (sperm or egg cells) with too few or too many chromosomes. When these gametes combine with normal gametes during fertilization, the resulting embryo will have an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Consequences of having an abnormal number of chromosomes

An abnormal number of chromosomes can lead to several conditions, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Turner syndrome (monosomy X), or Klinefelter syndrome (XXY). These conditions can have various physical, mental, and developmental effects on the individual.

Answer and explanation

Yes, an embryo can have an abnormal number of chromosomes. This occurs primarily due to errors during cell division (meiosis or mitosis) that result in gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes. When these gametes combine during fertilization, the resulting embryo inherits the abnormal chromosome count. The consequences of having an abnormal number of chromosomes can range from mild to severe and can impact an individual's physical, mental, and developmental abilities.

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Can an embryo have an abnormal number of chromosomes? Explain.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand normal and abnormal number of chromosomes

Instances leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes

Consequences of having an abnormal number of chromosomes

Answer and explanation

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