Question
In a population of a grasshopper species, the chromosome number of some members is 23 and some other members possess 24 chromosomes. The 23 and 24 chromosome-bearing members in this species are :
NEET
Zoology
Principles of Inheritance and Variation
2026
NEET 2026 (Cancelled)
NEET Zoology Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. females and males, respectively
- B. all males
- C. males and females, respectively
- D. all females
Answer
C. males and females, respectively
Step-by-step solution
Grasshoppers exhibit the XX-XO type of sex determination. In this system, females have a pair of X chromosomes (XX) along with autosomes, while males have only one X chromosome (XO) along with autosomes. Thus, females have one more chromosome than males. Given the chromosome numbers 23 and 24, the members with 23 chromosomes are males (22 autosomes + 1 X chromosome) and the members with 24 chromosomes are females (22 autosomes + 2 X chromosomes). Therefore, the 23 and 24 chromosome-bearing members are males and females, respectively. Answer: males and females, respectively
Related: Zoology — Principles of Inheritance and Variation · All PYQ Banks