Body Cells (Somatic Cells)
* Diploid (2n): They have two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.
* Example: A human body cell has 46 chromosomes (23 from the mother and 23 from the father).
Gametes (Sex Cells)
* Haploid (n): They have only one set of chromosomes.
* Example: A human sperm or egg cell has 23 chromosomes.
Why the Difference?
This difference is crucial for sexual reproduction:
* Meiosis: Gametes are produced through a specialized cell division called meiosis, which reduces the number of chromosomes by half. This ensures that when a sperm and egg fuse during fertilization, the offspring receives the correct number of chromosomes (2n) from both parents.
* Genetic Diversity: The process of meiosis also shuffles the genetic material, leading to genetic variation among offspring.
In summary:
* Body cells have two copies of each chromosome (diploid) to ensure proper function and development.
* Gametes have one copy of each chromosome (haploid) to maintain the correct number of chromosomes in the offspring after fertilization.
