Difference Between Haploid And Diploid (With Diagram)

What Is Haploid?

Haploid describes a cell that contains a single set of chromosomes. The term haploid can also refer to the number of chromosomes in egg or sperm cells, which are also called gametes. In humans, gametes are haploid cells that contain 23 chromosomes, each of which a one of a chromosome pair that exists in diplod cells. The number of chromosomes in a single set is represented as n, which is also called the haploid number. In humans, n = 23.

Gametes contain half the chromosomes contained in normal diploid cells of the body, which are also known as somatic cells. Haploid gametes are produced during meiosis, which is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a parent diploid cell by half. Some organisms, like algae, have haploid portions of their life cycle. Other organisms, like male ants, live as haploid organisms throughout their life cycle.

What You Need To Know About Haploid

• Haploid also referred to as monoploid is a cell or organism that has just a single copy of each chromosome.
• These cells are formed after meiotic cell division.
• Examples of haploid cells are gametes (male or female) germ cells of vertebrates.
• Since there is only a single set of chromosomes, there are half the numbers of chromosomes in comparison to diploid cells.
• The haploid cells that are formed after meiosis are not genetically identical to the parent cells because of crossing over.
• Haploid organisms are developed from unfertilized eggs.
• The haploid stage of the lifecycle is known as the gametophytic stage. The haploid stage is more predominant than the diploid stage in the life cycle of most bryophytes like mosses. The haploid stage is less prominent than the diploid stage in the life cycle of most pteridophytes like fern.
• Haploid cells are important for genetic diversity and sexual reproduction.
• Haploid cells have 23 chromosomes in humans.
• Some haploid organisms include male ants, bees and wasp.

What Is Diploid?

Diploid describes a cell that contains two copies of each chromosome. Nearly all the cells in the human body carry two homologous, or similar, copies of each chromosome. The only exception is cells in the germ line, which go on to produce gametes, or egg and sperm cells. Germ line cells are haploid, which means they contain a single set of chromosomes. In diploid cells, one set of chromosomes is inherited from the individual’s mother, while the second is inherited from the father. Humans have 46 chromosomes in each diploid cell. Among those, there are two sex-determining chromosomes, and 22 pairs of autosomal, or non-sex, chromosomes. The total number of chromosomes in diploid cells is described as 2n, which is twice the number of chromosomes in a haploid cell (n). Somatic cells such as blood, skin and muscle cells are some examples of a diploid cell.

What You Need To Know About Diploid

• Diploid is an organism that has paired or two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
• These cells are formed after mitotic cell division.
• Examples of diploid cells include blood cells, skin cells and muscle cells. These cells are referred to as somatic cells.
• Since there are two sets of chromosomes, the total number of chromosomes is double the number of chromosomes present in haploid cells.
• The diploid cells that are formed after mitosis are genetically identical to the parent cells.
• Diploid organisms are developed from fertilized eggs.
• The diploid stage of the lifecycle is known as the sporophytic stage. The diploid stage is less prominent than the haploid stage in the cycle of most bryophyte like mosses.  The diploid stage is more predominant than the haploid stage in the life cycle of Pteridophyta like fern.
• Diploid cells are vital for the growth and development of organisms.
• In humans, diploid cells have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
• Some diploid organisms include humans, frogs, fishes and most plants.

Also Read: Difference Between Gametic, Sporic And Zygotic Meiosis

Difference Between Haploid And Diploid In Tabular Form