How do the number of chromosomes in a female scorpion’s egg cells compare with the number in her body (somatic) cells?

Question

Responses

The number of chromosomes is the same in both.
The number of chromosomes is the same in both.

There are twice as many chromosomes in egg cells.
There are twice as many chromosomes in egg cells.

There are half as many chromosomes in egg cells.
There are half as many chromosomes in egg cells.

The number of chromosomes depends on the size of the scorpion.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

There are half as many chromosomes in egg cells.

In scorpions, as in most organisms that reproduce sexually, the egg cells (gametes) are haploid, containing half the number of chromosomes compared to the somatic cells, which are diploid. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when an egg and sperm fuse during fertilization, the resulting offspring has the correct number of chromosomes.