Diploid vs Haploid and Comparing Cell Division

What does 2n mean?

Diploid: two complete sets of chromosomes.

What does n mean?

Haploid: one complete set of chromosomes.

How many chromosomes do human diploid cells have?

46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs.

How many chromosomes do human haploid gametes have?

23 chromosomes, with no homologous pairs.

What is the main difference between diploid and haploid cells?

Diploid cells have two complete sets of chromosomes; haploid cells have one complete set.

Which type of cell division produces genetically identical cells?

Mitosis.

Which type of cell division produces genetically different haploid cells?

Meiosis.

How many daughter cells does mitosis usually produce?

Two.

How many haploid products does meiosis typically produce?

Four.

Does mitosis change the chromosome number?

No. Daughter cells normally retain the same chromosome number as the parent cell.

Does meiosis change the chromosome number?

Yes. It halves the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.

Which process is mainly responsible for growth and tissue repair?

Mitosis.

Which process produces gametes for sexual reproduction?

Meiosis.

Why is meiosis important for genetic variation?

It produces cells with different combinations of alleles and chromosomes.

What happens during fertilisation?

A haploid sperm and a haploid egg fuse to form a diploid zygote.

How many chromosomes are present in a typical human zygote?

46 chromosomes, formed from 23 chromosomes from the sperm and 23 from the egg.