Haploid and Diploid

[jmukid]

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Ok i know that a lot people understand this but i just for some reason dont get it. I know diploid means 2n and haploid means half but like i dont understand them when they ask a question like whats the haploid or diploid number of a certain chromosome. Any insight would be preciated.

 

[nboogie]

The way I think about it is this: We (humans) have 46 chromosomes (diploid number). One set is maternal and one paternal. So this means for chromosome 1 we have two sets (termed homologous - same chromosome but one from mom and one from dad). When we go through gamete formation our maternal and paternal chromosomes can trade genetic information to introduce some variance into our gametes. During meiosis homologous chromosomes line up and can distribute themselves in a random order and are separated to form gametes (another way variability is introduced). Once this is complete the gamete contains 23 chromosomes (a mix between maternal and paternal genetic information) which combined with our mate to again form a diploid zygote.