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Multiple Choice
How many homologous chromosome pairs do dogs have in their somatic cells?
A
46 pairs
B
23 pairs
C
19 pairs
D
39 pairs
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that have the same structure and carry the same genes, although they may have different alleles.
Recognize that somatic cells are any cells forming the body of an organism, excluding germ cells, and they contain a full set of chromosomes.
Recall that the number of homologous chromosome pairs in an organism is half the total number of chromosomes in its somatic cells, as each pair consists of one chromosome from each parent.
Research or recall the specific number of chromosomes in a dog's somatic cells, which is 78 chromosomes.
Divide the total number of chromosomes by 2 to find the number of homologous chromosome pairs: \( \frac{78}{2} = 39 \) pairs.