Question

From the internet, gather information about the chromosome numbers of five animals and five plants. Correlate the number with the size of the organism and answer the following question

1. Do larger organisms have more chromosomes/cells?
2. Can organisms with fewer chromosomes reproduce more easily than organisms with more chromosomes?
3. More the number of chromosomes/cells greater is the DNA content. Justify.

Answer 1

Chromosome

1. A long DNA molecule that contains the genetic material of an organism is known as a chromosome.

A.

1. No, the size of an organism does not have any relationship with chromosome number.
2. For example: No. of chromosomes in the giraffe is 30 and that of the monkey is 42 but the giraffe is bigger than a monkey.
3. No. of chromosome in watermelon is 22 and that of mango is 40 but watermelon is bigger than mango.

B.

1. No, There is a common pattern followed during the process of reproduction and it is independent of the number of chromosomes.
2. For example: No. of chromosomes in Drosophila is 4 and no. of chromosomes is 80 but their reproductive process occurs in a set of events that are shared by all species.
3. It is unaffected by the number of chromosomes.

C.

1. Yes, DNA is the major component of chromosomes so the quantity of DNA is more if the number of chromosomes is greater.
2. For example: No. of chromosomes in monkeys is 42 and it has 42 DNA molecules and No. of chromosomes in humans is 46 and it has 46 DNA molecules.
3. DNA is the major component of chromosomes.
4. As a result, as the number of chromosomes increases, so does the amount of DNA.