Question

select the correct answer.
an elephant has 56 chromosomes. which statement about a zygote of an elephant is true?
a. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, mostly inherited from the father.
b. the zygote has 56 chromosomes, all inherited from the mother.
c. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, all inherited from the mother.
d. the zygote has 56 chromosomes, 28 inherited from the mother and 28 from the father.
e. the zygote has 28 chromosomes, 14 inherited from the mother and 14 from the father.

Explanation:

A zygote forms when a sperm (haploid, with half the parent's chromosomes) fertilizes an egg (also haploid). For an elephant with 56 chromosomes, each gamete (sperm/egg) has 28 chromosomes. The zygote inherits 28 from the mother's egg and 28 from the father's sperm, resulting in 56 total chromosomes (diploid, matching the parent's chromosome count).

Answer:

D. The zygote has 56 chromosomes, 28 inherited from the mother and 28 from the father.