[Campbell Biology P.315] If a human zygote is formed from a male gamete and a female gamete,... | Practice Question

If a human zygote is formed from a male gamete and a female gamete, and considering only independent assortment not crossing over , what is the approximate number of possible diploid combinations?

  • A: About 8.4 million
  • B: About 70 trillion
  • C: About 16.8 million
  • D: Astronomical and cannot be calculated.

Explanation

Each male gamete represents one of about 8.4 million 2^23 possibilities, and the same is true for each female gamete. The fusion of a specific male gamete with a specific female gamete results in a zygote with one of approximately 2^23 x 2^23 = 2^46, or about 70 trillion, diploid combinations.