Index >>Chromosomes>> Diploids and Haploids

Diploids and Haploids
In contrast to prokaryotes, most eukaryote~ are diploids, i.e., each somatic cell of them contains one set of chromosomes inherited from the maternal (female) parent and a comparable set of chromosomes (called homologous chromosomes) from the paternal (male) parent. The number of chromosomes in a dual set of a diploid somatic cell is called the diploid number (2n). The sex cells (sperms and ova)  of a diploid eukaryote cell contain half the number of chromosomal  sets found in the somatic cells and are known as haploid (n) cells. A haploid set of chromosome is also called genome. The fertilization process restores the diploid number of a diploid species.