Does the number of chromosomes matter?

Chromosomes are the small packages in the nucleus of cells. These are tight bundles of DNA. In humans the cells have 46 such packages. 44 are somatic which means they are unrelated to the sex of the person. 2 of these are sex specific, X and Y chromosomes.

Not all animals have this many or this few chromosomes. Humans sit in an odd place in the hierarchy of chromosomes. We have a few less then apes but a lot less then insects.

Insects are arguably far less complex than a human. We are arguably more complex than an ape. What relationship does the number of chromosomes have to this difference?

Despite the differences in chromosome count the organism complexity does not vary. Or at least it does not vary in any meaningful way when correlated to the number of chromosomes. This is an interesting observation.

You would expect to see that a more complex organism has a more complex storage method. This is not he case.

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Relevant links:

Chromosomes

Chromosome Abnormalities Fact Sheet

Chromosomes Fact Sheet

Wikipedia: List of organisms by chromosome count

Life cycle of P. hawaiensis

[EdmundWChan]

On the last part of the video you said what drove human from apes, is there a word (other than evolution/mutation/natural selection) for that in biology when chromosomes combine together or the lost of number of chromosomes?

[EdmundWChan]

I have been looking for this video all night!! #Evolution #pbseons #human #pokemon #Adventuretime