Question

What are chromosomes ? Explain how in sexually reproducing organisms the number of chromosomes in the progeny is maintained.

Answer 1

Chromosomes are the bearer of heredity. They have information responsible for transfer of features from parents to the next generation in the form of deoxribonucleic acid. (DNA) In sexually reproducing organisms, special lineages of cells are present which have half the number of chromosomes and half the amount of DNA in them.These are known as germ cells. When the male and female germ cells combine to form a zygote, these restore the approriate or normal number of chromosomes.