Haploid describes a cell that contains a single set of chromosomes. The term haploid canalso refer to the number of chromosomes in egg or sperm cells,which are also called gametes. In humans, gametes are haploid cells thatcontain 23 chromosomes, each of which a one of a chromosome pair that exists in diplod cells. Thenumber of chromosomes in a single set is represented as n, which is also calledthe haploid number. In humans, n = 23.
Gametes contain half the chromosomescontained in normal diploid cells of the body, which are also known as somaticcells. Haploid gametes are produced during meiosis, which is a type of celldivision that reduces the number of chromosomes in a parent diploid cell byhalf. Some organisms, like algae, have haploid portions of their life cycle.Other organisms, like male ants, live as haploid organisms throughout theirlife cycle.
