Mendel, Somatic Cells, and
Gametes
2/24/16
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• Page 16 – Intro. To Genetics
Guided Reading
• Page 17 – Mendel, Somatic Cells,
and Gametes
Organisms that reproduce sexually are made
up of two different types of cells.
1. Somatic Cells
– “body” cells (examples: skin cells, nerve cells, etc.)
– Referred to as Diploid
• Each cell contains 2 sets of chromosomes.
• The symbol for diploid is 2n.
• The diploid, or “normal” number for humans is 46.
2. Gametes
– “sex” cells (egg and sperm)
– Referred to as Haploid
• Each cell contains only 1 set of chromosomes.
• The symbol for haploid is n.
Gametes
The Male Gamete is the Sperm and is produced in
the male gonad called the Testes.
The Female Gamete is the Ovum (plural = Ova)
and is produced in the female gonad called the
Ovaries.
• P = parent generation
• F1 = first generation offspring
• F2 = second generation offspring