Maintaining Diploid Cells
•A diploid cell contains pairs of chromosomes that equal the chromosome number
of that organism’s species.
•For example, a diploid human cell has 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes or 46
total.
•Homologous chromosomes are similar but not identical.
Creating Haploid Cells
•A haploid cell is a cell that contains one chromosome from each homologous pair.
•Sperm and egg cells are haploid cells, meaning they half the chromosome number
of the species.
•For example, in humans, sperm cells and egg cells have 23 chromosomes each so
when they fuse or unite, the zygote will have 46 chromosomes.
•Meiosis is similar to mitosis, but it takes place in two processes.
•The process produces 4 haploid daughter cells (sperm or egg cells).