AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Definition. 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-2: -In humans, these gametes are haploid as they have one copy of each chromosome, contributed from each parent. The resulting cell is diploid as it has a complete complement of DNA: a total of 46 chromosome pairs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Haploid cells are excellent tools to study gene function as they contain a single copy of the genome and are thus unable to mask the effect of mutations.

Detailed explanation-4: -A haploid cell carries only one allele of each gene.

Detailed explanation-5: -Haploid organisms have one of each chromosome (and thus only one of a given allele), whereas diploid organisms have two copies of each chromosome and carry two alleles (which may be the same or different).