What are chromosomes? Explain how in sexually reproducing organisms the number of chromosomes in the progeny is maintained.

Explanation

Chromosomes are long thread-like structures which contain hereditary information of the individual and are thereby the carriers of genes.
Male individual have 46 chromosomes but because the gametes are always haploid., i.e., they have half the number of chromosomes, sperms will be haploid (23 chromosomes). Female individual also contains 23 chromosomes in egg. It is the fusion of the sperm and egg which leads to an offspring.s with 46 chromosomes.