Answer:
The question lacks options, the options are:
A). the body cell has 2n; the sex cell has 1n.
B). the body cell has 26; the sex cell has two.
C). the body cell has 1n; the sex cell has 2n.
D). the body cell has 24; the sex cell has 26
The answer is A
Explanation:
According to the question, the snapping turtle possesses 52 chromosomes in its cell. This means that the chromosomal number of its body cell is 52. However, the turtle, which reproduces sexually will produce gametes or sex cells via meiosis. Meiosis is the kind of cell division that results in daughter cells (gametes) that have a reduced number of chromosomes (by half).
Based on this, the diploid cells (2n) of the turtle with chromosome number 52 will undergo meiotic division to produce haploid gametes or sex cells (n) with chromosome number 26.
N.B: Diploid (2n) means two complete sets of chromosomes while haploid (1n) means one complete set of chromosome.
The body cell of the turtle contains two set of chromosomes received from each parent, hence, making it Diploid (2n). However, meiosis will reduce the chromosome number to one set in each gamete i.e. haploid (n).
