Practice question · Numerical answer
An organism has 6 pairs of chromosomes. How many genetically distinct gametes can independent assortment alone produce?
Hints
- Each pair contributes independently, with two possible choices.
- Compute 2 to the power 6.
Show the answer
64
Why
distinct gametes from independent assortment alone. Crossing over then recombines within each chromosome, so the true figure is far larger, effectively no two gametes are alike.
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