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block:
Biology Worksheet
Sex Chromosomes & Sex Cells
Autosomes & Somatic Cells
score:
/ 30
This worksheet is designed to help you understand the relationship between sex chromosomes, sex cells, autosomes and
somatic (body) cells.
1. Refer to the karyotype to help define the word,
“diploid.” (1 pt)
2. The word diploid can be used synonymously with 2n.
Why is there a “2” in 2n? (1 pt)
Meiosis is a reduction division. It is the process that produces gametes (egg and sperm). Meiosis begins with a cell that
is 2n (diploid) and separates the homologues into separate cells which are now n (haploid).
3. Which karyotype(s) correctly represent(s) a normal egg or sperm nucleus. (3 pts)
A
B
C
4. Explain why it is essential that this reduction division from 2n  n occur during the creation of gametes. (2 pts)
5. When an egg is fertilized by a sperm, the resulting zygote is 2n or diploid. Circle the chromosomes in the next
karyotype that can be found in the zygote. (1 pt)
Mrs. Loyd 
cloyd@waukee.k12.ia.us
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Mitosis is a process that makes new, identical cells. (2n  2n). Mitosis is for the purposes of: growth, maintenance,
repair and asexual reproduction. Once an egg is fertilized, it will divide by mitosis millions of times to produce a baby.
6. Identify the karyotype that represents any somatic cell in the baby’s body. (1 pt)
A
B
C
Consider the questions that you have answered.
7. Which kind(s) of cells contain X and/or Y, sex
chromosomes? (1 pt) Below the cells, list the
chromosomes in each. (3 pts.)
egg cells
9.
sperm cells
body (somatic) cells
8.
Which kind(s) of cells contain autosomes (all the
chromosomes EXCEPT the sex chromosomes)?
Below the cells, list the number of autosomes in
each. (4 pts)
Which cells?
egg cells
sperm cells
body (somatic) cells
What is different about the chromosomes contained in a sex cell and those in a somatic cell? (2 pts)
Use the following labels to fill in the table. A label may be needed more than once. (12 pts)
 2n or n
 22 for humans or 44 for humans
 1 chromosome for humans or 2 chromosomes for humans
 X or Y or XX or XY.
Sex Cells
Somatic cells
Autosomes
10. (2 labels)
11. (2 labels)
Sex
Chromosomes
12. (4 labels)
13. (4 labels)
14. Do ALL of your somatic cells have ALL of your chromosomes? (1 pt)
15. If so, how can your cells be different? (For example, how can you have skin cells and liver cells if your cells contain
all the same genes?) (1 pt) (AP Bio: be specific about the chemicals and other factors involved.) (1 pt)
Mrs. Loyd 
cloyd@waukee.k12.ia.us
Page 2 of 2
http://loydbiology.weebly.com
7/12/16
http://www.mybiology.com