Word Study
haploid
CIDE DICTIONARY
haploid, a. [NL., fr. Gr. "aplo`os simple.].
having half the number of chromosomes normally present in somatic cells; having only one chromosome of each type, and therefore having only one complete set of genes; Contrasted with diploid and polyploid . See also diploid.
"The germ cells of animals, the ovum and sperm cells, are haploid , whereas the somatic cells are diploid. Haploid variants of somatic cells may also be generated under certain conditions in the laboratory." [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
haploid, adj. & n.
--adj. Biol. (of an organism or cell) with a single set of chromosomes.
--n. a haploid organism or cell.
--adj. Biol. (of an organism or cell) with a single set of chromosomes.
--n. a haploid organism or cell.
Etymology
G f. Gk haplous single + eidos form
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