Question

In maize, a meiocyte has 20 chromosomes. What will be the number of chromosomes in its somatic cell?
A)40
B)30
C)20
D)10

Answer 1

Hint: The cell that divides into a gamete by the process of meiosis is known as a meiocyte. The meiosis generally takes place in the reproductive cells. It involves intermixing of the chromosomes.

Complete answer:
Meiosis is the process of division of the reproductive or the germ line cells. One parent cell divides into four daughter cells. In meiosis, a diploid cell divides and produces four different haploid gametes after two rounds of division. So the meiocytes are diploid.

As meiocyte of maize are diploid, so, 2N=20.(According to the question)
The somatic cells are any other cells in the body which are not reproductive cells. For example cells of internal organs, stem, roots etc. Somatic cells contain a full set of chromosomes.

Somatic cells have two genes for every character. This is known as diploid or 2n. These cells undergo mitotic division and the cells produced contain 2N chromosomes.
The somatic cells are also the diploid cells. Thus, 2N=20.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: When the cell has half the number of chromosomes it is called haploid. Sex chromosomes are called haploid. In gametes, the number of chromosomes is halved. The diploid chromosome contains two alleles of a trait one from each parent. All the cells other than sex cells are diploid.