You may have heard through various media of an animal alleged to be the hybrid of a rabbit and a cat. Given that the cat (Felis domesticus) has a diploid chromosome number of 38 and a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has a diploid chromosome number of 44, what would be the expected chromosome number in the somatic tissues of this alleged hybrid

The correct answer is - 2n = 41 chromosomes.

Explanation:

It is given that the cat has a diploid chromosome number of 38 while the rabbit has a diploid number of 44 chromosomes and if they form a hybrid then their expected chromosome number in somatic cells would be -

Cat (2n=38) produces haploid gametes with 19 chromosomes (n-19).

Rabbit (2n=44) produces haploid gametes with 22 chromosomes(n=22)

19+22= 41 chromosomes in the particular hybrid as half number of chromosomes come from each parent.