What is the difference between diploid and haploid ?
About | |
Diploid cells contain two complete sets (2n) of chromosomes. | Haploid cells have half the number of chromosomes (n) as diploid - i.e. a haploid cell contains only one complete set of chromosomes. |
Cell Division and Growth | |
Diploid cells reproduce by mitosis making daughter cells that are exact replicas. | Haploid cells are a result of the process of meiosis, a type of cell division in which diploid cells divide to give rise to haploid germ cells. A haploid cell will merge with another haploid cell at fertilization. |
Examples | |
Skin, blood, muscle cells (also known as somatic cells) | Cells used in sexual reproduction, sperm and ova (also known as Gametes). |