Which term describes a cell that contains only a single set of chromosomes and therefore only a single set of genes (Humans N = 23)?

Which term describes a cell that contains only a single set of chromosomes and therefore only a single set of genes (Humans N = 23)?

• A. Diploid (2N)
• B. Monoploid
• C. Haploid (N)
• D. Polyploid

Answer: (C)

Ploidy describes how many complete chromosome sets a cell contains. A cell with a single complete set of chromosomes is haploid (N). In humans, that means 23 chromosomes, with one copy of each gene, which is what you find in gametes like sperm and egg. That’s why this term fits the description of a cell with only one set of genes. The other terms describe different situations: diploid cells have two complete sets (2N), polyploid cells have more than two sets, and monoploid is an older or less common way to refer to a single chromosome set in some contexts.

Ploidy describes how many complete chromosome sets a cell contains. A cell with a single complete set of chromosomes is haploid (N). In humans, that means 23 chromosomes, with one copy of each gene, which is what you find in gametes like sperm and egg. That’s why this term fits the description of a cell with only one set of genes. The other terms describe different situations: diploid cells have two complete sets (2N), polyploid cells have more than two sets, and monoploid is an older or less common way to refer to a single chromosome set in some contexts.