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The edible pea (Pisum sativum) has a diploid number of 14 - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 4
The edible pea (Pisum sativum) has a diploid number of 14. Specific cells in the ovary undergo meiosis to produce gametes. The number of DNA molecules in one of the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The edible pea (Pisum sativum) has a diploid number of 14 - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
The number of DNA molecules in one of these cells at the beginning of meiosis would be
Answer
To determine the number of DNA molecules at the beginning of meiosis for the edible pea, we need to consider the diploid number (2n) and the process of meiosis.
- The diploid number for Pisum sativum is given as 14 (2n = 14).
- At the beginning of meiosis (prophase I), the cells will contain a diploid set of chromosomes, thus having the full complement of DNA.
- Each chromosome consists of two sister chromatids after DNA replication, but at the meiotic prophase, the number of chromosomes is still counted based on their pairs.
Since there are 14 chromosomes in total, the process of meiosis will halve the chromosome number to form haploid gametes. Therefore, at the beginning of meiosis, the total number of DNA molecules in one cell is 14, corresponding to the diploid state before any division occurs.
Thus, the answer is B. 14.