Which cell type has two sets of chromosomes in animals?

Which cell type has two sets of chromosomes in animals?

• A. Gametes.
• B. Somatic cells.
• C. Both have two sets.
• D. Neither has two sets.

Answer: (B)

In animals, two copies of each chromosome define a diploid state. Somatic cells are diploid (2n) and are produced by mitosis, which preserves the chromosome number from parent to daughter cells. Gametes, such as sperm and eggs, are haploid (n) and carry only one set of chromosomes; they are formed by meiosis to ensure offspring inherit one set from each parent. So the cell type with two sets of chromosomes is somatic cells. Examples include skin cells, muscle cells, and neurons.

In animals, two copies of each chromosome define a diploid state. Somatic cells are diploid (2n) and are produced by mitosis, which preserves the chromosome number from parent to daughter cells. Gametes, such as sperm and eggs, are haploid (n) and carry only one set of chromosomes; they are formed by meiosis to ensure offspring inherit one set from each parent. So the cell type with two sets of chromosomes is somatic cells. Examples include skin cells, muscle cells, and neurons.