Question

explain the difference between a haploid and diploid cell. Include respective n and c values

Answer 1

The major difference between a haploid and diploid cell is that haploid cells have one set of chromosomes (haploid number of chromosomes) and diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes (diploid number of chromosomes). Almost all somatic cells are diploid and exhibit two sets of chromosomes. Exceptions include human erythrocytes which do not have a nucleus and some plants that are polyploid. Polyploidy is the condition in which more than two sets of chromosomes are present and hence named accordingly- triploid, tetraploid etc. Gametes or gametocytes are haploid cells which have a single set of chromosome. The male and female gametes unite together to form a zygote which is diploid. The 'n' refers to the genetic content in the chromosomes i.e. the number of homologous pairs of genes in a chromosome. The 'c' refers to the total number of homologous chromosomes in the cell. Each haploid cell is 1n and 1c which combines with other 1n and 1c cell and form a zygote which is 2n and 2c. Each diploid cell is 2n and 2c.