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Multiple Choice
If a human somatic cell is just about to divide, it has __________ chromatids.
A
0
B
23
C
46
D
There is insufficient information to answer the question.
E
92
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that a human somatic cell is a typical body cell, which is diploid, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes.
Recall that humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes in a somatic cell.
Before a cell divides, during the S phase of the cell cycle, each chromosome is replicated. This means each chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids.
Since there are 46 chromosomes and each is replicated into two chromatids, the total number of chromatids in a cell just before division is 46 multiplied by 2.
Calculate the total number of chromatids: \( 46 \times 2 = 92 \) chromatids.