Genes, Chromosomes and DNA

Question 1

How many chromosomes are in a sperm or an egg cell?

Answer 1

23 chromosomes are in both a sperm and an egg cell and they go together in pairs to create a zygote (a fertilised egg) with 46 chromosomes

Question 2

What is a collective noun used when talking about both the sperm and egg cells?

Answer 2

Both the sperm and egg cells are sometimes referred to as gametes

Question 3

How many chromosomes does a zygote (a fertilised egg) have?

Answer 3

A zygote has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) and so do we

Question 4

What are genes?

Answer 4

Genes are a short section of DNA that codes for a particular characteristic such as hair or eye colour

Question 5

What is fertilisation?

Answer 5

Fertilisation is when the Gametes (sperm and egg) meet

Question 6

What are chromosomes

Answer 6

Chromosomes are a long strand of DNA made of Genes which is wrapped up a helical structure (corkscrew/double helix)

Question 7

What is DNA?

Answer 7

DNA is the basic structural unit of life

Question 8

What are chromosomes made up of

and what are genes made up of?

Answer 8

Chromosomes are made up of genes

and genes are made up of proteins that match up with each other