A stray alley cat has 38 chromosomes in each somatic cell. How many chromosomes will be found in a haploid cell (sperm or egg) ?

19

Explanation:

The sex cells, the sperm cells and the egg cell, contain half the number of chromosomes as compared to the somatic cells of an organism. This is because after fertilization half of the chromosomes will arise from the other parent. For example, the egg of a stray alley cat will have 19 chromosomes. When a sperm fertilizes this egg, it will carry the other 19 chromosomes. As a result, a diploid zygote will form. In the way, the number of chromosomes is maintained.