Question

The number of chromosomes in a primary spermatocyte is
(a) Same as in spermatid
(b) Same as in oogonia
(c) Same as that in spermatogonium
(d) Same as in secondary spermatocyte

Answer 1

The number of chromosomes in the primary spermatocyte correlates to the number of chromosomes in the male germinal cells found in the seminiferous tubules. In nature, these cells are diploids. The cells are also diploidal.

Complete answer:
Spermatocytes in humans are a type of male gametocytes. Primary spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes are two types of spermatocytes. Diploid cells that consist of 46 chromosomes in each cell are primary spermatocytes. As they are haploid cells, each secondary spermatocyte comprises 23 chromosomes.
To make up the primary spermatocyte, the cells in the spermatogonia divide mitotically. As mitosis forms the primary spermatocyte, the number of chromosomes remains the same as those in the spermatogonium. Thus, in these cells, there are 46 chromosomes. In order to form the secondary spermatozoa by meiosis I and the spermatozoa by meiosis II, the main spermatocyte then undergoes meiotic division.

Additional information:
On the inside wall of seminiferous tubules, the spermatogonia (singular-spermatogonium) presents multiply by mitotic division and increase in numbers.
Spermatogonium is the cell that is produced in the initial stage of spermatogenesis and later gives rise to spermatocytes.
Each spermatogonium comprises 46 chromosomes and is diploid. Any of the spermatogonia known as primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis on a daily basis.

So, the correct answer is, option c) ‘Same as that in spermatogonium’.

Note:
Spermatocytes are formed from spermatogonia, the immature germ cells. They are present in the testis, in a system referred to as the seminiferous tubules. By the process of spermatocytogenesis, primary and secondary spermatocytes are produced. Diploid (2N) cells are primary spermatocytes. There are two secondary spermatocytes produced after meiosis I. The haploid (N) cells that comprise half of the number of chromosomes are secondary spermatocytes.