Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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What characterizes a typical human gamete?

Diploid number of genes
Haploid number of genes
Contains no sex chromosome
Only undergoes mitosis

The correct answer is: Haploid number of genes

A typical human gamete is characterized by having a haploid number of genes. This means that it contains one set of chromosomes, which is half the diploid number found in somatic cells. In humans, the haploid number is 23 chromosomes, which includes one set of autosomes and one sex chromosome (either X or Y). Gametes are produced through a process called meiosis, where a diploid germ cell undergoes two rounds of cell division to produce four haploid cells, each with a unique combination of genetic material. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes. In contrast, a diploid number of genes would refer to somatic cells, which contain two sets of chromosomes. The other options, such as having no sex chromosome, are inaccurate since human gametes do indeed carry a sex chromosome, and stating that they undergo only mitosis is misleading, as gametes are specifically formed through meiosis. Thus, the haploid nature of gametes is key to their function in reproduction.