define gamete and zygote. what number of chromosomes does each have?
If it is a human zygote with no mutations, then it will contain 46 chromosomes. Each parent gives the zygote 23 chromosomes. All human gametes without mutations contain 23 and when joined during fertilization they form a zygote with 46 chromosomes. However, chromosome number varies by species, for example a normal pigeon zygote would have 80 chromosomes.
A zygote is formed when the male gamete (sperm) fuses with the female gamete (ova). Each gamete (regardless of the sex) is marked with an n; indicating it to be a haploid. Therefore; sperm (n) + ova (n) = zygote (2n) [A zygote is a diploid; 2n]. n = 23 chromosomes.