Correct option is C
Correct Answer:
Option (c) — Sixteen
Explanation:
-In Drosophila melanogaster, males have 4 pairs of chromosomes (2n = 8).
-During gamete formation (meiosis), independent assortment of chromosomes occurs, but no recombination takes place in males.
-The number of possible chromosomal combinations in gametes due to independent assortment is given by:
Number of combinations = 2ⁿ
where n = number of homologous chromosome pairs.
So,
2⁴ = 16
Hence, there are 16 possible combinations of chromosomes in male gametes.
Information Booster:
n = 4 (haploid number for Drosophila).
No recombination in males: Genetic variation in gametes arises only from independent assortment, not crossing over.
In females, recombination adds additional variability beyond the 2ⁿ combinations.
Additional Knowledge (Incorrect Options Explained):
(a) Four: Would be correct only if there were 2 chromosome pairs (n = 2).
(b) Eight: Corresponds to n = 3.
(d) Thirty-two: Would require n = 5 pairs.
