Question

Some organisms have a predominantly diploid life cycle while others are predominantly haploid. Suggest an explanation for why this is

Answer 1

There is two type of eukaryotic cells, somatic and gamete where somatic cell are diploid (2n) and gametes are generally haploid (n). Somatic cell get complete genomic information of an organism (half get from mother and half get from mother) and haploid can have only half information from either parent (mother or father). In majority of cases both components are important in their life cycle and predominantly we can observe diploid cycle in animals and plants. But there are some examples where you can see haploid cycle dominate on other.

For example, in case of honey bee you can see haploid Drone are produced by a queen honey bee without utilizing any gamete from male honey bee (amazing fact is that they are known as drones) through a process known as parthenogenesis.

Diploid (2n, through meiosis produces)-à Haploid (n) and fusion of haploidà Diploid (zygote, 2n)

In diploid cycle genetic recombination and gene linkage take place, which make unique genome of offspring, Haploid cell can carry important genetic information from parent some traits can be transferred to the next generation.

[Note: both cycles are an important component of sexual cycle or sexual reproduction)