Diploid and haploid cells
genetic information is found in the nucleus of the cell in the form of DNA.
differentiate between haploid and diploid cells and explain how they arise;
calculate the haploid and diploid number of chromosomes.
Diploid and haploid cells
In the somatic cells of animals and vascular plants chromosomeschromosomes form pairs. Each pair consists of two similar chromosomes that contain information about the same body characteristics. Such chromosomes are called homologous. In human somatic cells there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Cells that contain such a double set of chromosomes are called diploid cellsdiploid cells and is displayed as 2n. Human gametes have 23 chromosomes, i.e. a single set of chromosomes. Such cells are called haploid cellshaploid cells and means 1n. Because the sperm and egg cell are haploid, as a result of fertilization, a diploid cell develops, and the child receives from each parent one set of chromosomes.

Calculate how many chromosomes are found in the diploid cells of organisms whose haploid cells have the following number of chromosomes in their nuclei: 12, 18, 24.
Match the description of the cell to its type.
contains a single set of chromosomes, contains a double set of chromosomes, contains at least a triple set of chromosomes
| haploid cell | |
| diploid cell | |
| polyploid cell |
Complete the text below by dragging the appropriate numbers into the empty boxes.
12, 14, 2, 14, 6, 8, 27, 4, 21
If the haploid gametes of a crop plant contain 1n = 7 chromosomes, then the typical diploid specimen of this plant will have 2 n = ............ chromosomes in somatic cells.
In order to grow a triploid plant that yields seedless fruit, a diploid gamete with a chromosome number equal to ............ n = ............ should be obtained and connected to the haploid gamete. The triploid plant in each somatic cell will therefore have 3n = ............ chromosomes.
Obtaining a tetraploid plant, giving exceptionally large fruit, will require the combination of two diploid gametes. In this case, the total number of chromosomes in somatic cells will be ............ n = 28.
Summary
Diploid cells contain a double set of chromosomes, and haploid cells – a single one.
Keywords
diploid cells, haploid cells, chromosomes
Glossary
chromosomy – podziałowa postać DNA; wydłużone, pałeczkowate struktury powstające z nici DNA w jądrze tuż przed podziałem komórki i widoczne w czasie podziału jądra
komórka diploidalna – komórka, która zawiera podwójny zestaw (liczbę) chromosomów (2n)
komórka haploidalna – komórka, która zawiera pojedynczy zestaw (liczbę) chromosomów (1n)