Diploid vs Haploid
- A diploid cell is a cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes (2n)
- These chromosomes contain the DNA necessary for protein synthesis and cell function
- Nearly all cells in the human body are diploid with 23 pairs (46) of chromosomes in their nucleus
- Haploid cells contain one complete set of chromosomes (n)
- In other words they have half the number of chromosomes compared to diploid cells
- Humans have haploid cells that contain 23 chromosomes in their nucleus
- These haploid cells are called gametes and they are involved in sexual reproduction
- For humans they are the female egg and the male sperm
- Haploidy and diploidy are terms that can be applied to cells across different species
- They describe the number of sets of chromosomes, not the total number of chromosomes
Haploid and diploid cells.
