Question

Total amount of DNA in human diploid cells in not dissimilar from that of Chimpanzee but the diploid number of chromosomes in Chimpanzee is
A. 44
B. 46
C. 48
D. 50.

Answer 1

Hint: Human and chimpanzee chromosomes are very alike. The main difference is that humans have one pair of chromosomes than do other great apes. In the human evolutionary lineage, two inherited ape chromosomes fused at their telomeres, producing human chromosome 2.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we have to know about the evolution of humans. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, while all other extant individuals of Hominidae have 24 pairs. Human chromosome 2 is an outcome of a serial fusion of two inherited chromosomes.

Now, let us find the solution from the option.

Somatic cells of human contain 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes and 2-sex chromosomes). Human chromosomes are usually obtained by culturing certain types of white blood cells from the peripheral blood. They can then be used with particular stains to create characteristic bands besides the length of every chromosome. The pattern of Banding so obtained is distinctive for every pair of chromosomes. The diploid number of chromosomes present in Gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan is 48.

When comparisons have been done among banded chromosomes of man and those of the great apes. The total amount of DNA in human diploid cells and that of the great apes are not different. Similarity in the detailed structural organization of the chromosomes is recognized only in terms of a common origin for man and chimpanzee.

Thus, the correct answer is C. 48.

Note: Chromosome 2 is one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans. Humans normally have two copies of this chromosome. Chromosome 2 is the second huge human chromosome, consisting of more than 242 million base pairs and constituting almost eight percent of the total DNA in human cells.