Why do longer DNA pieces take longer to move through the gel

at the beginning of the run, DNA of all lengths are relatively close together. as time goes on the difference in the rate of migration of fragments of different length causes them to separate.

each of the 46 original chromosomes splits into two daughter chromosomes, so there are two sets of 46 daughter chromosomes that end up in each cell. human cells have 46 chromosomes. each chromosome consists of a pair of identical chromatids attached together by a structure called a centromere.

fertilization, pictured in figure 24.23a is the process in which gametes (an egg and sperm) fuse to form a zygote. the egg and sperm each contain one set of chromosomes. to ensure that the offspring has only one complete diploid set of chromosomes, only one sperm must fuse with one egg. in mammals, the egg is protected by a layer of extracellular matrix consisting mainly of glycoproteins called the zona pellucida. when a sperm binds to the zona pellucida, a series of biochemical events, called the acrosomal reactions, take place. in placental mammals, the acrosome contains digestive enzymes that initiate the degradation of the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allowing the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the egg plasma membrane, as illustrated in figure 24.23b. the fusion of these two membranes creates an opening through which the sperm nucleus is transferred into the ovum. the nuclear membranes of the egg and sperm break down and the two haploid genomes condense to form a diploid genome.

explanation: