When the sister chromatids are joined in the centromere, why is it stated that the number of chromosomes is 46 and not 72?
When I was learning genetics for the first time I have also found naming the two chromatids joined at centromere as chromosome a little bit strange. The number of DNA molecules and their behaviour in cell cycle seemed to me more important for understanding of genetics.
What you need to understand.is the term chromosome predates knowledge of DNA structure. The name literally means colored (chromo) body (soma). It is an object visible under the microscope when using specific dye. In metaphase two chromatids joined at centromere look like a single object - a chromosome. Sometimes the two chromatids of one chromosome are so close together it is difficult to tell them apart. In anaphase the chromatids separate and one object (two-chromatid chromosome) visibly splits to two objects (single-chromatid chromosomes of daughter cells)