For a given gene, how many of alelles will be found in a gamete __ ?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is one allele.
In a gamete, only one allele for each gene is present. Gametes are haploid cells, meaning they have half the number of chromosomes compared to the diploid cells of the organism. Humans and most organisms have two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. These copies are referred to as alleles.
When gametes (sperm and egg cells) are formed through the process of meiosis, each cell receives only one of the two alleles for each gene. This ensures that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will have two alleles for each gene, one from each parent, restoring the diploid state.
For example, if a gene has two alleles, say “A” and “a”, the gametes produced by an individual could either carry the “A” allele or the “a” allele, but not both. This randomness in allele distribution contributes to genetic variation within populations.
Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division, with the first division separating homologous chromosomes into different cells. The second division separates sister chromatids, ensuring that each gamete ends up with one allele per gene. This reduction in chromosome number during meiosis is crucial for maintaining the stability of chromosome number across generations.
In summary, each gamete carries only one allele for a given gene, which is a fundamental aspect of genetic inheritance and ensures that offspring inherit one allele from each parent.