Which term describes a cell that contains both sets of homologous chromosomes (Humans 2N = 46)?

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

Answer: (A)

Having two complete sets of chromosomes means the cell is diploid. In humans, somatic (body) cells carry 46 chromosomes arranged as 23 homologous pairs—one chromosome of each pair comes from the mother and one from the father. This two-set condition is what defines a diploid state.

In contrast, haploid cells carry a single set of chromosomes (23 in humans), which are the gametes: eggs and sperm. After fertilization, the zygote restores the diploid state. Polyploid refers to more than two sets of chromosomes (like triploid or tetraploid), which is common in plants and some organisms but not typical for human somatic cells. Monosomic means having only one copy of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two.

So, the term that describes a cell with both sets of homologous chromosomes is diploid.