AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In sexually reproducing organisms, the number of chromosomes in the body (somatic) cells typically is diploid (2n; a pair of each chromosome), twice the haploid (1n) number found in the sex cells, or gametes. The haploid number is produced during meiosis.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Haploid refers to the presence of a single set of chromosomes in an organism’s cells. Sexually reproducing organisms are diploid (having two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent). In humans, only the egg and sperm cells are haploid.

Detailed explanation-4: -Haploid cells have half the number of chromosomes (n) as diploid-i.e. a haploid cell contains only one complete set of chromosomes. Diploid cells reproduce by mitosis making daughter cells that are exact replicas.

Detailed explanation-5: -As gametes are produced, the number of chromosomes must be reduced by half. Why? The zygote must contain genetic information from the mother and from the father, so the gametes must contain half of the chromosomes found in normal body cells.