diploid

views updated May 11 2018

diploid A cell with 2 chromosome sets, or an individual with 2 chromosome sets in each cell (excluding the sex chromosomes which may or may not be represented twice, according to the sex of the individual). A diploid state is written as 2n to distinguish it from the haploid state of n. The zygotes of many green algae and fungi are diploid, as are the sporophytes of other algae, mosses, liverworts, and vascular plants.

diploid

views updated Jun 11 2018

dip·loid / ˈdipˌloid/ Genetics • adj. (of a cell or nucleus) containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. Compare with haploid. ∎  (of an organism or part) composed of diploid cells.• n. a diploid cell, organism, or species.DERIVATIVES: dip·loi·dy / -ˌloidē/ n.

diploid

views updated May 21 2018

diploid Cell that has its chromosomes in pairs. Diploids are found in almost all animal cells, except gametes which are haploid (a single set of chromosomes). Cells of flowering plants and gymnosperms are also diploid. Algae and lower plants, such as ferns, have two generations (alternation of generations) in their life cycle, one diploid, the other haploid. In diploids, the chromosomes of each pair carry the same genes.

diploid

views updated May 18 2018

diploid Applied to a cell that has two chromosome sets, or an individual with two chromosome sets in each cell (excluding the sex chromosomes which may or may not be represented twice, according to the sex of the individual). A diploid state is written as 2n to distinguish it from the haploid state of n. Almost all animal cells (except gametes) are diploid.

diploid

views updated May 21 2018

diploid Applied to a cell with two chromosome sets, or an individual with two chromosome sets in each cell (excluding the sex chromosomes, which may or may not be represented twice, according to the sex of the individual). A diploid state is written as 2n to distinguish it from the haploid state of n. Almost all animal cells (except gametes) are diploid.

diploid

views updated May 18 2018

diploid Describing a nucleus, cell, or organism with twice the haploid number of chromosomes characteristic of the species. The diploid number is designated as 2n. Two sets of chromosomes are present, one set being derived from the female parent and the other from the male. In animals, all the cells except the reproductive cells are diploid.

diploid

views updated May 18 2018

diploid (dip-loid) adj. describing cells, nuclei, or organisms in which each chromosome except the Y sex chromosome is represented twice. Compare haploid.
diploid n.