DIPLOID Meaning and
Definition
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"Diploid" is a term commonly used in genetics and biology to refer to a cell or organism that contains two complete sets of chromosomes. It is derived from the combination of the Greek word "di" meaning "two" and "ploos" meaning "fold" or "multiple."
In diploid organisms, pairs of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, are present in their cells. The chromosomes are composed of long stretches of DNA molecules, which carry genetic information. Each chromosome consists of numerous genes that encode specific traits and characteristics.
The diploid cells contain homologous chromosomes, meaning that each chromosome pair contains similar genes arranged in the same sequence. While the genes on homologous chromosomes are the same, they may carry different versions of the genes known as alleles. For instance, a gene on one chromosome of a pair may code for blue eye color, while its corresponding gene on the other chromosome may code for brown eye color.
Diploid organisms include the majority of animals, plants, and fungi. They reproduce through a process called sexual reproduction, where offspring inherit one complete set of chromosomes from each parent. This ensures genetic variation and the possibility for adaptation to changing environments. In contrast, organisms with only one set of chromosomes are called haploid.
Understanding the concept of diploid is crucial to various fields, including genetics, evolutionary biology, and reproductive biology, as it helps scientists analyze inheritance patterns, genetic diversity, and the evolution of species.
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The full number of chromosomes in the fertilized ovum and in all cells, except the mature germ cells, derived from this.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of DIPLOID
The word "diploid" is derived from two Greek roots: "di-" meaning "two" and "ploos" meaning "fold". The term was coined in 1905 by the German botanist Eduard Strasburger, who used it to describe cells with two sets of chromosomes.
Similar spelling words for DIPLOID
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