mitosis question

[allstardentist]

This is from the sample DAT test from ADA. The answer is D. Shouldnt choice 4 be "single pair of chromosome..." instead of single chromosome?

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[tom_servo_dds]

This is from the sample DAT test from ADA. The answer is D. Shouldnt choice 4 be "single pair of chromosome..." instead of single chromosome?

The term "chromosome" can be interchangeably used to mean at once a pair of chromatids or a single chromatid. It depends on the context that you use them although most people focus on the diploid form.

Speaking of which, that brings up a question: a gamete which has only the haploid number as the parent has, do you speak of them as having half chromosomes, one chromatid, or just having a haploid number of chromosomes? The latter is still a correct description.

 

[allstardentist]

what im saying is, 1 single chromosome means 1 pair of homologous chromosome? Im not talking about chromatids.

 

[tom_servo_dds]

what im saying is, 1 single chromosome means 1 pair of homologous chromosome? Im not talking about chromatids.

The term "Chromosome" can mean both 1 single chromosome (or chromatin) or 1 pair of homologous chromosomes.

More info:
http://www.answers.com/topic/chromosome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosome#Number_of_chromosomes_in_different_species

 

[allstardentist]

thanks. how would i distinguish between the two on the test day? Like the problem i posted, it can have two answer if it has dual meaning.