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Multiple Choice
Down syndrome is characterized by cells having three copies of chromosome 21. As a cell in an individual with Down syndrome prepares to enter mitosis, how many chromatids would be present?
A
23
B
46
C
92
D
98
E
94
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21, meaning there are three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
Recall that humans typically have 46 chromosomes, which are organized into 23 pairs. In a person with Down syndrome, there is an extra chromosome 21, making it 47 chromosomes in total.
During the S phase of the cell cycle, each chromosome is replicated, resulting in two sister chromatids per chromosome.
Calculate the total number of chromatids by multiplying the total number of chromosomes by 2. For a person with Down syndrome, this would be 47 chromosomes multiplied by 2 chromatids per chromosome.
Perform the multiplication: 47 chromosomes × 2 chromatids/chromosome = 94 chromatids. This is the number of chromatids present as the cell enters mitosis.