Question

Assuming independent assortment and no recombination, the number of different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes in gametes of an organism with a diploid number of 12 is _________.

Hint:

For independent assortment, the number of possible combinations of chromosomes in gametes is \( 2^n \), where \( n \) is the haploid number.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 64

The number of different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes in gametes is determined by the formula: \[ \text{Number of combinations} = 2^n, \] where \( n \) is the haploid number (half of the diploid number). The diploid number is given as 12, so the haploid number \( n = \frac{12}{2} = 6 \). Thus, the number of different combinations is: \[ 2^6 = 64. \] Therefore, the number of different combinations of chromosomes in the gametes is 64.