See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/313887710

Difference Between Diploid and Haploid

Article · February 2017

CITATIONS READS
0 5,860

1 author:

Lakna Panawala
The Biology Blog - WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BIOLOGY
198 PUBLICATIONS 59 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Lakna Panawala on 22 February 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

EXPLORE  Type here to search... 

Home » Science » Biology » Cell Biology » Difference Between Diploid and Haploid

Difference Between Diploid and Haploid

February 22, 2017 • by Lakna • 4 min read

Main Difference – Diploid vs

Haploid
Diploid and haploid are two terms which describe the number
of chromosome sets present in the cell or the ploidy of a cell.
Diploid cells consist of two chromosome sets while haploid
cells consist of a single set of chromosomes. This
discrepancy in the number of chromosome sets can be termed
as the main difference between diploid and haploid. Usually,
human somatic cells consist of two chromosome sets; each is
inherited from one parent. Gametes are found to be haploid.

This article looks at,

1. What is Diploid
– Definition, Features, Examples
2. What is Haploid
– Definition, Features, Examples
3. What is the difference between Diploid and Haploid

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 1/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

What is Diploid
Diploids are cells which consist of two sets of chromosomes. Almost all mammals have diploid genomes. Each set
belongs to one parent, either to mother or father. A chromosome that belongs to the maternal set is homologous with
only one chromosome of the paternal set. The human body consists of 46 chromosomes all together: 22 homologous
autosome pairs and two sex chromosomes. The total number of chromosomes in a diploid cell is described as 2n.
Hence, each and every gene in the genome has two alleles at a particular locus. These two alleles can be either
homozygous dominant, heterozygous or homozygous recessive with each other.

Diploid cells increase their cell number with the aid of mitosis. During mitosis, doubled genetic material via DNA
replication is segregated into two cells. Daughter cells also consist of diploid genomes. On the other hand,
retroviruses, such as HIV, Human foamy virus and Human T­lymphotropic virus consist of diploid RNA genomes.
HIV, containing two RNA molecules is shown in figure 1.

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 2/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

Figure 1: HIV structure

What is Haploid
Haploids are cells which consist of a single chromosome
set. Homologous pairs cannot be identified in haploid cells.
Some organisms may have diploid somatic cells, but they
also produce haploid gametes during the reproduction. Two
gametes again fertilize to form a diploid zygote. In this
situation, the organism is still considered as diploid.
Therefore, organisms, which have haploid somatic cells are
only considered as haploid organisms. The human body
contains 23 chromosomes in their gametes while the
somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes as homologous
pairs. Thus, human gametes are haploid and are described
as n.

Haploid gametes are produced by meiosis of 2n somatic cells. A single chromosome from the homologous
chromosome pair is segregated into each gamete during meiosis I. In plants, fungi and algae, some stages of the life
cycle are diploid, and some stages are haploid. This is referred to as the alterations of generations. In plants, the
principal stage of the life cycle is diploid whereas the principle stage of the life cycle is haploid in fungi. Most animals
are diploid. But, animals developed from unfertilized eggs such as male bees and ants are haploid.

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 3/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

Figure 2: Correlation between haploid

and diploid

Difference Between Diploid and Haploid

Definition
Diploid: They consist of two chromosome sets in their somatic cells.

Haploid: They consist of a single chromosome set in their somatic cells.

Increasing Cell Number

Diploid: Mitosis maintains the 2n cells while increasing the cell number.

Haploid: Haploid gametes are produced by meiosis of 2n cells.

Human Body
Diploid: Diploid somatic cells consist of 46 chromosomes in each.

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 4/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

Haploid: Haploid somatic cells consist of 23 chromosomes in each.

Examples
Diploid: Animals, Plants, Fungi.

Haploid: Green growth, parasites, male bees and ants.

Conclusion
Most creature on the planet are diploid. They produce haploid gametes during their sexual reproduction through
meiosis. In plants, the principle stage of the life cycle is diploid. Diploid cells are composed of two factors to
determine a specific trait. The key difference between diploid and haploid is the number of chromosome sets that the
cell consists of.

Reference:
1. “Ploidy”. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2017. Accessed 20 Feb 2017
2. April Klazema “Haploid vs Diploid Cells: How to know the difference”. Udemy blog, 2014. Accessed 20 Feb 2017

Image Courtesy:
1. “HI­Virion structure en.svg”. By Thomas Splettstoesser (www.scistyle.com) – Own work (CC­BY­SA­4.0) via
Commons Wikimedia
2. “Haploid vs diploid.svg”. By Ehamberg – Own work (CC­BY­SA­3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

How to
Pray to God
Learn How To Pray to
Receive God, And How To
Hear His Answers.
godlife.com

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a
broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things
http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 5/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

View all posts

You May Also Like These

Learn English Di erence Between Start Download - PDF Di erence Between

Grammar Paradox and... Now Flashback and...
Ad learningtolearnenglish.com pediaa.com Ad fromdoctopdf.com pediaa.com

Improve English Di erence Between Di erence Between What are Literary

Writing Skills - Get... Litotes and... Metonymy and... Techniques
Ad englishhelper.com pediaa.com pediaa.com pediaa.com

Leave a Comment

Name * Email * Website

Comment

Post Comment

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 6/8
2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

You May Like

Difference Between
Diploid and Haploid

Difference Between
Test Cross and
Backcross

Difference Between
DNA Replication and
Transcription

What is the Function of

Hemoglobin in the
Human Body

Difference Between
DNA and RNA

Copyright © 2017 Pediaa.Com. Contact About Us

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 7/8
 View publication stats

2/22/2017 Difference Between Diploid and Haploid ­ Pediaa.Com

http://pediaa.com/difference­between­diploid­and­haploid/ 8/8