POP QUIZ

Answer

Horses have 32 pairs of chromosomes, 64 in all. That’s more than a kangaroo (16) but less than a pigeon (80). Chromosomes are structures inside the nucleus of each animal and plant cell that contain a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Chromosomes ensure that DNA is accurately copied and distributed as cells divide. It used to be believed that the more complex an organism, the greater its number of chromosomes, but this has been disproved—potatoes have 48, one more pair than you do.