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Multiple Choice
What is the total number of chromosomes present in a human cell before meiosis begins?
A
46
B
92
C
69
D
23
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that human cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
Recognize that the total number of chromosomes in a typical human somatic cell is 46, which includes 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes.
Before meiosis begins, a human cell is in the diploid state, so it contains 46 chromosomes.
Meiosis is a process that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid cells, but this reduction occurs after meiosis begins.
Therefore, before meiosis starts, the total number of chromosomes in a human cell is 46.