Edouard van beneden proposed that an egg and a sperm, each containing half the complement of chromosomes found in somatic cells, fuse to produce a single cell called a(n)

a. zygote
b. karyotype
c. embryo
d. oocyte

The correct answer is a. Zygote

Explanation:

Edouard van Beneden was a zoology professor at the University of Liège whose worked showed how chromosomes are organized during gamete formation or during meiosis process.

During meiosis, the chromosomes number is reduced to half so each gamete contains half of the chromosome found in somatic cell and are called haploid cells. This reduction in chromosome number is necessary to bring the correct number of chromosomes in the zygote.

During fertilization, sperms fuse with eggs to produce a single diploid cell that is known as zygote. So the zygote has 46 chromosome in which half comes from sperm and half from the egg.

both male and female gametes are produced by meiosis of the germ cells. therefore, both male and female gametes are haploid. one male and one female gamete unite during the fertilization to form the diploid zygote. in seed bearing plants, pollen grain is the male gametophyte, which produces sperm cells.