A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What does the term haploid refer to in genetics?

A full set of chromosomes
Half the normal chromosome number
The presence of multiple alleles
A double set of chromosomes

The correct answer is: Half the normal chromosome number

The term haploid refers to a cell or organism that contains one complete set of chromosomes, which is half the total number found in diploid organisms. In humans, for example, diploid cells have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), while haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells) contain only 23 individual chromosomes. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for sexual reproduction because it ensures that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote will have the correct diploid number. Understanding haploidy is essential in genetics, especially in the context of meiosis, where diploid cells undergo division to produce haploid gametes.