A zygote, formed during fertilization, is the first cell of a new organism and contains the combined genetic material from both parents. It typically has a diploid number of chromosomes, which means it has two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Chromosomes, composed of DNA and proteins, carry genes that determine inherited traits. Understanding the number of chromosomes in a zygote is crucial in genetics as it provides insights into genetic inheritance, developmental abnormalities, and reproductive health.
