Question
(ii) The nucleus of the sperm cell is different from the nucleus of body cells. Give one way in which the nucleus is different.
Answer
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Henry
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The nucleus of the sperm cell has half the number of chromosomes compared to the nucleus of a body cell.
Explanation
Each human body cell contains 46 chromosomes which is also referred to as diploid number (2n). Contrarily, human sex cells, or the gametes, a.k.a sperm in males and egg in females, have half the genetic information of a body cell -- 23 chromosomes or a haploid number(n). This difference ensures that when a sperm and an egg unite during fertilization, the resulting zygote will have the standard diploid number of chromosomes which is characteristic for the species, ensuring that the normal genetic makeup is maintained through the generations. Therefore, sui generis attribute of nucleus of any sperm cell compared to the nucleus of a normal human body cell is in the number of chromosomes they have inside. The nucleus of the sperm carries half the number as that of a body cell.