Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
In the context of meiosis, how many chromosomes can a gamete possess as a result of nondisjunction?
A
22 chromosomes
B
24 chromosomes
C
23 chromosomes
D
21 chromosomes
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that meiosis is a process that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing gametes with a haploid set of chromosomes. In humans, this means gametes should normally have 23 chromosomes.
Nondisjunction is an error in meiosis where homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids fail to separate properly. This can occur during either Meiosis I or Meiosis II.
If nondisjunction occurs during Meiosis I, all resulting gametes will have an abnormal number of chromosomes: two will have an extra chromosome (n+1) and two will have one less (n-1).
If nondisjunction occurs during Meiosis II, two gametes will be normal (n), one will have an extra chromosome (n+1), and one will have one less (n-1).
In humans, a gamete with an extra chromosome due to nondisjunction will have 24 chromosomes (23 + 1), while a gamete with one less will have 22 chromosomes (23 - 1).