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Multiple Choice
How many chromosomes are present in a human cell before mitosis begins?
A
92
B
69
C
46
D
23
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that human cells are diploid, meaning they have 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 mitosis begins, the cell is in the interphase stage, during which the DNA is replicated. However, the number of chromosomes remains the same, at 46, because each chromosome is duplicated into two sister chromatids.
Differentiate between the number of chromosomes and chromatids: after DNA replication, there are 46 chromosomes, but each consists of two sister chromatids, making a total of 92 chromatids.
Conclude that the number of chromosomes in a human cell before mitosis begins is 46, as the question asks for the number of chromosomes, not chromatids.