Caenorhabditis elegans (the famous model organism used in biomedical research for which three Nobel prizes have been awarded) has 5 autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and an X (sex) chromosome. Hermaphrodites have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have only one X chromosome (that is, males are XO, where the "O" stands for "no homolog for the X", or "nullo"). [Hint: On an empty sheet of paper, draw metaphase and anaphase stages of Mitosis and Meiosis I and II for a male and for a hermaphrodite before answering the following!] What is the total number of possible combinations of chromosomes in C. elegans male sperm due specifically to independent assortment at Metaphase I of Meiosis? [Another way to think about the question is, disregarding recombination/crossing-over, what is the total number of genetically different male gametes produced, assuming that homologous pairs are different in at least one locus?] [Hint: Males can produce gametes that are "nullo" (O) with respect to the X, as well as gametes that have an X.]
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