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Title: This plant contains 27 times more chromosomes per cell than humans Written by: duddy on Oct 15, 2015 (https://biology-forums.com/gallery/47/4_15_10_15_12_06_25.jpeg) (https://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22691) It's true, the adder's-tongue ferns (Ophioglossum) pictured above has the highest chromosome count of any known living organism, with 1,262 chromosomes. In comparison, most species have far fewer chromosomes (i.e. humans have 46, 23 pairs). However, the number of chromosomes doesn't suggest that this species is more complex - after all, it's a plant! Some organisms, like this plants can self-fertilize, therefore they end with extra chromosomes. Over many generations, these chromosomes accumulate, hence the large number found in Ophioglossum. |