haploidtól

Haploid is a term used in genetics to describe a cell or organism that has half the number of chromosomes of a regular somatic cell. In sexually reproducing organisms, somatic cells are typically diploid, meaning they contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Haploid cells, on the other hand, contain only one complete set of chromosomes.

The most common examples of haploid cells are gametes, which are the reproductive cells such as sperm and egg cells. During sexual reproduction, a haploid sperm fuses with a haploid egg to form a diploid zygote. This zygote then develops into a new diploid organism.

The concept of haploidy is also relevant in the life cycles of some organisms, such as certain fungi and algae, where the dominant or only stage of the organism might be haploid. In these cases, diploidy may be a brief phase, often occurring only during the formation of spores. The term haploid comes from the Greek words "haploos" meaning "single" and "eidos" meaning "form." Understanding haploidy is crucial for comprehending inheritance patterns, cell division processes like meiosis, and the genetic makeup of organisms.