What component is NOT found in a gamete?

Gametes are specialized reproductive cells that carry the genetic information necessary for reproduction. In humans and many other organisms, gametes are haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes, which is half the diploid number found in somatic (body) cells.

The correct answer indicates that diploid chromosomes are not found in gametes because gametes are not diploid; instead, they possess a haploid set of chromosomes. This is essential for sexual reproduction, as it allows for the fusion of two gametes (such as sperm and egg) during fertilization, restoring the diploid number in the resulting zygote.

While both recessive alleles and half the diploid number of chromosomes can be present in gametes, the defining characteristic of these cells is their haploid nature. Thus, the distinction of not containing diploid chromosomes aligns perfectly with the characteristics of gametes.