Given that the horse has a diploid chromosome number of 64 and a zebra has a diploid chromosome number of 46, what would be the expected chromosome number in the somatic tissues if a viable hybrid were possible between these two animals

Answer: 55

The expected chromosome number in the hybrid would be 55

Explanation:

To obtain the hybrid organism:

- the diploid (2n) cell of horse will undergo meiosis to produce a gamete with halved chromosome. This gamete is with haploid number (n)

Thus, 64 / 2 = 32

- the diploid (2n) cell of Zebra will undergo the same pattern as the horse

Thus, 46 / 2 = 23

Then, the gametes of the two animals will be fused to form a zygote of the hybrid.

32 + 23 = 55

Hence, the zygote will form a diploid hybrid organism with an expected chromosome number of 55