How many diploid and haploid chromosomes does a duck have?

The student has asked how many diploid and haploid chromosomes a duck has. To answer this question, we must understand that ducks are birds and thus follow typical vertebrate reproductive patterns. Most birds, including ducks, have a zygotic chromosome number (2n) that is diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent.
In ducks, the diploid number of chromosomes is 80. Therefore, a duck's somatic or body cells contain 80 chromosomes (40 pairs), and its gametes (sperm or egg cells) are haploid, having half the number of chromosomes, which is 40. This is consistent with the principle that the haploid number (n) is half the diploid number (2n).
It's important to note that when a duck's haploid gametes (with 40 chromosomes each) combine during fertilization, a new duck with a full complement of 80 chromosomes is formed. This newly formed cell, the zygote, is diploid and will develop into a duck through successive cell divisions and growth.

Answered by CharlotteRampling | 2024-06-18

Ducks have 80 diploid chromosomes and 40 haploid chromosomes. The diploid number (2n) is found in somatic cells, while the haploid number (n) is found in gametes. This allows for proper reproduction, maintaining the necessary chromosome count across generations.
;

Answered by CharlotteRampling | 2024-10-09