The false spider mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis, has only two chromosomes. Which of the following pieces of evidence would allow yo
u to determine that this animal is haploid, n=2, and not diploid, 2n=2? a. If these two mite chromosomes have different genes at different loci.
b. If the somatic cells in these mites undergo mitosis.
c. If these two chromosomes in the mite form tetrads during prophase I.
d. If this mite produces gametes containing only one chromosome each.
The correct answer is - a. If these two mite chromosomes have different genes at different loci.
Explanation:
If it is 2n= 2, it means that it is diploid and has two sets of chromosomes in which one set comes from mother and the other from father which means parent's genes contribute to diploid equally. Both sets of chromosomes form homologous chromosome pair. Each homolog of the pair has the same gene at the same loci in diploid and if it has not the same homologous gene at the same loci these are haploid.
