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Haploid and Diploid life cycle

A life cycle that includes both the 1n state and the 2n stage is referred to as the haploid-diploid life cycle. These two stages are separated by the processes of meiosis and syngamy (fertilization of gametes). A haploid is a set of chromosomes containing one member of each chromosome pair. It can also be defined as the number of chromosomes in a gamete (a cell with only one pair of chromosomes) of an organism. It is symbolized by "n" or "1n." A diploid is a set of chromosomes containing two sets of chromosomes (one male and one female). The symbol for a diploid is "2n" because it is double the haploid. The haploid-diploid life cycle is also called an alternation of generations.


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