What best describes diploid cells?

• A. A cell containing only one set of chromosomes (n).
• B. A cell containing two sets of chromosomes (2n), one set inherited from each parent.
• C. A gamete produced by meiosis.
• D. A cell with no chromosomes.

Answer: (B)

Diploid cells carry two complete sets of chromosomes (2n), one inherited from each parent. This means there are paired homologous chromosomes, representing two copies of each chromosome. In humans, most body (somatic) cells are diploid, containing 46 chromosomes arranged as 23 pairs. This is in contrast to haploid cells, which have a single set of chromosomes (n) and are typically gametes formed by meiosis. A cell with no chromosomes is not viable and does not describe diploidy. So the idea that diploid cells have two chromosome sets, one from each parent, best captures what diploidy means.