Answer to Question #329136 in Microbiology for rosina

Question

Discuss what happens when an individual with 17 chromosomes mates with an individual of the same species with 16 chromosomes. 

Answer 1

It depends on the species and the whether there is particular pathological process that caused this difference in chromosomes number. If this this pathology is severe, this two individuals would not be able even reproduce (there offspring would not be viable).

In other cases, this can lead to appearance of the sterile offspring. In a non-polyploid hybrid is often a result of chromosome number; if parents are of differing chromosome pair number, the offspring will have an odd number of chromosomes, which leaves them unable to produce chromosomally-balanced gametes.