haploid number

views updated

haploid number The number of chromosomes in a gamete, designated n. It is in contrast with the number of chromosomes in somatic cells, which is usually some multiple of this number, commonly 2n (diploid), but sometimes 3n (triploid), 4n (tetraploid), or many-n (polyploid). A haploid cell thus has only one chromosome set, and a haploid organism contains only haploid cells.