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Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [1]
A zygote is formed by the fusion of a male gamete and a female gamete. The number of chromosomes in the zygote of a human is :
  1. A 23
  2. B 44
  3. C 46
  4. D 92
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2024 31/4/1 Q10
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:43 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Option C — 46

A human zygote is formed by fusion of a sperm (23 chromosomes) and an egg (23 chromosomes), giving the zygote 46 chromosomes.

Explanation

Each human gamete (sperm/egg) is haploid — it carries 23 chromosomes. Fertilisation combines two gametes, restoring the diploid number of 46. Option A (23) is the gamete number; Option D (92) would be if a zygote fused again; Option B (44) is incorrect. Examiners expect you to recall that human body cells have 46 chromosomes, so the zygote must also have 46.

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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.