answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

They don't!

Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total). One of each pair comes from the mother, the other from the father. This gives us genetic variation.

Sex cells are the only cells that don't have 46 chromosomes. They are made by a process called meiosis. One cell splits and each pair of chromosomes splits too. This means that 2 sex cells are made from one cell, each containing half of the chromosomes, 23 single ones.

When fertilisation happens the 2 sex cells merge and each of the 23 single chromosomes pairs up with the single chromosomes from the other sex cell. This makes a new cell, with 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in total, that is genetically similar to both parents, but also genetically unique.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Different species have different numbers of chromosomes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Humans have 46 chromosomes total. A 'pair' means two;therefore, if you divide 46 by 2 (46/2=23) we have 23 'pairs' of chromosomes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Because somatic cells require all 46 to be present since they are the product of two sex cells which contain 23 chromosomes. 23 * 2 = 46.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Humans have 46 chromosomes. They are arranged into 23 pairs. Each pair contains two chromosomes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

because they got the half of each 23 chromosomes of the parents

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How come identical twins have 46 chromosomes?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What will a nucleus with 46 chromosomes that undergo mitosis produce?

A nucleus with 46 chromosomes that undergoes mitosis will produce two daughter cells. The identical daughter cells will have 46 chromosomes each just like the parent cell.


Why are Chromosomes called Double Chromosomes?

After DNA replication, there are double the number of chromosomes, which will be divided into two identical daughter nuclei during mitosis. For example, a normal human body cell has 46 chromosomes. When it undergoes DNA replication, the chromosomes are doubled so that there will be 92 chromosomes, consisting of 46 pairs of sister chromatids. During mitosis, the sister chromatids separate into two identical daughter nuclei, each having 46 chromosomes.


What is the genetic material contained in each of the 46 chromosomes of a human cell just before division?

Each human cell contains 46 chromosomes. Just before division, these chromosomes contain two identical copies of all of the cell's genetic material.


How many chromosome are there in human intestinal cell at anaphase?

During anaphase in a human intestinal cell, there are 92 chromosomes. During anaphase, the 92 chromosomes are separating into two sets of 46, so that at the end of mitosis, there will be two genetically identical nuclei, each containing 46 chromosomes. As the new nuclei are forming, the cytoplasm splits in the process of cytokinesis, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells, each having 46 chromosomes.


How many chromosomes come from each parent?

Half of the chromosomes come from the mother and the other half come from the father. 46 total and 23 pairs.

Related questions

How many chromosomes do identical human twins have?

Assuming their are no mutations the twins wold both have 46 chromosomes. Twins, have the normal number of chromosomes, the only difference between an set of identical twins and two average individual is that twins have identical DNA.


Who would have the most genetic similarities identical twins or fraternal twins?

Identical twins would have the most genetic similarities, since they share the same original 46 chromosomes.


What will a nucleus with 46 chromosomes that undergo mitosis produce?

A nucleus with 46 chromosomes that undergoes mitosis will produce two daughter cells. The identical daughter cells will have 46 chromosomes each just like the parent cell.


In your body what do you have 46 of?

Every human should have 46 chromosomes in his or her body. 23 chromosomes come from a human's mother and 23 chromosomes come from a human's father.


How many cells have after mitosis?

After replication of the 46 chromosomes, the cell contains 92 chromatids (in 46 pairs). After mitosis two identical cells are created with the same original number of chromosomes, 46.


Why are Chromosomes called Double Chromosomes?

After DNA replication, there are double the number of chromosomes, which will be divided into two identical daughter nuclei during mitosis. For example, a normal human body cell has 46 chromosomes. When it undergoes DNA replication, the chromosomes are doubled so that there will be 92 chromosomes, consisting of 46 pairs of sister chromatids. During mitosis, the sister chromatids separate into two identical daughter nuclei, each having 46 chromosomes.


How are monozygotic twins formed?

When sperm and egg unite, they create a zygote through fertilization. Over time, the zygote will divide into millions upon millions of cells. Each cell consists of 46 chromosomes; these cells, as a whole, will become the baby. However, the process is not the same for every situation and some things can go differently. Monozygotic twins, also known as identical twins, come from a single zygote. During the process stated above, the zygote for whatever reason splits into two separate entities and eventually they will become the babies. The babies will be identical in nature (same sex and same physical features for the most part). This occurs because they each contain the same set of 46 chromosomes deriving from the single zygote.


What is the genetic material contained in each of the 46 chromosomes of a human cell just before division?

Each human cell contains 46 chromosomes. Just before division, these chromosomes contain two identical copies of all of the cell's genetic material.


How many chromosome are there in human intestinal cell at anaphase?

During anaphase in a human intestinal cell, there are 92 chromosomes. During anaphase, the 92 chromosomes are separating into two sets of 46, so that at the end of mitosis, there will be two genetically identical nuclei, each containing 46 chromosomes. As the new nuclei are forming, the cytoplasm splits in the process of cytokinesis, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells, each having 46 chromosomes.


How many chromosomes come from each parent?

Half of the chromosomes come from the mother and the other half come from the father. 46 total and 23 pairs.


How many sister chromatids present during anaphase of mitosis?

A human body cell has 46 chromosomes. Before mitosis, the DNA/chromosomes replicate, resulting in 92 chromosomes which will be divided into two genetically identical daughter cells during mitosis.


Why are offspring produced by sexual reproduction different from each other?

Humans have 46 chromosomes that determine various features such as sex, appearance, body size, shape and a whole lot else. In sexual reproduction 23 of those chromosomes come from ones father and 23 come from ones mother. It is quite unlikely that any child will get exactly the same 23 from ones father and the same 23 from ones mother. It does happen with identical twins when a fertilized egg splits in two but that is different. The formula is something like 2 to the 45th power. In addition, the various chromosomes then exchange parts. For certain processes the body will take its instructions from the chromosome that mainly came from the father, but when it comes to the section from the mother, it will continue taking its instructions. For other processes the other is true. Only identical twins are alike and their chromosomes are mirror images!