Sheep have _____ chromosomes.

Sheep have _____ chromosomes.

• A. 24
• B. 44
• C. 54
• D. 34

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that each species has a characteristic diploid chromosome number, which is the total number of chromosomes in a normal body cell. For sheep, that diploid number is 54, meaning there are 27 pairs of chromosomes in somatic cells. Gametes (sperm or eggs) carry half of that, so 27 chromosomes. So 54 is the correct total because it matches the established sheep chromosome count (2n = 54). The other numbers would indicate different species or a miscount and don’t fit the sheep karyotype.

The main idea here is that each species has a characteristic diploid chromosome number, which is the total number of chromosomes in a normal body cell. For sheep, that diploid number is 54, meaning there are 27 pairs of chromosomes in somatic cells. Gametes (sperm or eggs) carry half of that, so 27 chromosomes.

So 54 is the correct total because it matches the established sheep chromosome count (2n = 54). The other numbers would indicate different species or a miscount and don’t fit the sheep karyotype.