Question

How many sets of chromosomes are found in a human somatic cell?

Answer 1

Hint: Chromosome is defined as a long molecule of DNA that makes up the genetic material of different organisms. Most eukaryotic chromosomes are present in combination with histone proteins that help in the stability of the DNA.

Complete answer:
In eukaryotes the chromosomes are present as long linear molecules of DNA that are associated with proteins and together this structure is called chromatin. During the interphase period of the cell cycle which is defined by no cell division two types of chromatin are found- euchromatin and heterochromatin.

The euchromatin consists of the part of active DNA that are involved in protein synthesis and the heterochromatin is the part that consists of inactive DNA that have certain structural roles. During the cell division cycle the chromatin gets condensed into chromosomes and undergoes mitosis or meiosis giving rise to daughter cells.

In humans the chromosomes are of two types- the autosome and the allosome. The autosomes are known to be the body chromosome and humans contain 22 pairs of autosomes. The allosome are known to be the sex chromosome and humans contain one pair of them which in totality gives rise to 46 chromosomes per cel i.e, 23 in pairl. The autosomes are the ones responsible for most of the characters of an individual whereas the allosomes are responsible for only the sexual characters of an individual.

Note: The number of chromosomes varies from one organism to another but they are important part of the cell as it not only impart important characteristics to the organism but also help in the synthesis of important proteins that play important metabolic roles leading to the proper functioning of the organism.