A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What term describes the normal chromosome number characterized by having two chromosomes of each type?

haploid
polyploid
diploid
monoploid

The correct answer is: diploid

The term that describes the normal chromosome number characterized by having two chromosomes of each type is diploid. In diploid organisms, the chromosomes are arranged in pairs, with one chromosome inherited from each parent. This means that for a species that has a diploid number of chromosomes, such as humans with 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), each type of chromosome is present in two copies. Diploidy is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures genetic diversity through the combination of maternal and paternal chromosomes during fertilization. This diploid status contrasts with haploidy, where only one copy of each chromosome type exists, typically seen in gametes. Polyploidy refers to cells that contain more than two paired sets of chromosomes, which is common in certain plants and can lead to increased genetic variability. Monoploid is similar to haploid but often refers specifically to organisms or cells that have one complete set of chromosomes, particularly in the context of certain types of studies or classifications in genetics. Therefore, diploid is the most accurate term to indicate that there are two chromosomes of each type in a typical somatic cell of a multicellular organism.