Human Karyotype Exercise - Visual guide to chromosome pairing and identification.

Let’s work through this step by step.

This is a human karyotype exercise. A karyotype is a picture of all the chromosomes in a person’s cells, arranged in pairs from largest to smallest. Humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes — that’s 46 total. The first 22 pairs are called autosomes (numbered 1 to 22), and the 23rd pair are the sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males).

In the image, you’re given a jumbled set of chromosomes at the top, and below it, there’s a chart showing how to group them by size and shape into their correct pairs.

Your job is to match each chromosome from the jumbled circle to its correct place in the numbered boxes below — like solving a puzzle.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Look at the bottom chart. It shows what each pair should look like — for example, Pair #1 has two large chromosomes with the centromere near the middle. Pair #21 has two very small chromosomes.

Step 2: Go back to the big circle. Find two chromosomes that look exactly alike — same size, same banding pattern, same centromere position. Those go together as one pair.

Step 3: Match that pair to the correct number on the bottom chart. For example, if you find two medium-sized chromosomes with the centromere near one end, they might be Pair #13 or #14 — check the chart to see which matches best.

Step 4: Keep doing this until all 23 pairs are matched. Don’t forget the sex chromosomes! If you see two X-shaped chromosomes, it’s XX (female). If you see one X and one smaller Y, it’s XY (male).

Important tip: Chromosomes come in homologous pairs — meaning they’re identical in size and gene location (one from mom, one from dad). So always look for twins!

Also, some chromosomes look similar — like Groups C, D, E, F, G — so pay attention to subtle differences in arm length and banding.

Once you’ve matched all 22 autosome pairs and the sex chromosomes, you’ll have completed the karyotype.

Final Answer:
Match each chromosome pair from the circular diagram to its corresponding numbered box in the “Distinguishing Characteristics of Chromosomes” chart below, grouping them by size, centromere position, and banding pattern — ending with 22 autosome pairs plus one sex chromosome pair (XX or XY).