If an organisms diploid number is 12 what would be it’s haploid number
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: 6
The haploid number of an organism is half of its diploid number. If an organism’s diploid number is 12, its haploid number is 6.
In biology, the diploid number (2n) represents the total number of chromosomes in a somatic (body) cell, where chromosomes exist in pairs. Each pair contains one chromosome from the organism’s mother and one from the father. So, in this case, 2n = 12 means there are 6 pairs of chromosomes.
The haploid number (n) refers to the number of chromosomes found in gametes—sperm or egg cells. These cells contain only one chromosome from each pair, meaning only half the total chromosome number of somatic cells. Therefore, for an organism with a diploid number of 12, each gamete contains 6 chromosomes. This reduction is essential because it ensures that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number again.
This chromosome reduction happens during meiosis, a type of cell division that produces gametes. In the first division of meiosis, homologous chromosomes (the pairs) are separated, halving the chromosome number. This prevents the doubling of chromosomes in each generation.
The concept of diploid and haploid numbers is central to genetics, reproduction, and heredity. For example, in humans, the diploid number is 46, so the haploid number is 23. Every egg and sperm carries 23 chromosomes. When they fuse during fertilization, the zygote has 46 chromosomes, restoring the diploid number.
In summary, if an organism has a diploid number of 12, it has 6 homologous pairs of chromosomes, and its haploid number, found in gametes, is 6. This ensures stability in chromosome number across generations.