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Definition

noun

(genetics) The state of being diploid, that is having two sets of the chromosomes (and therefore two copies of genes), especially in somatic cells.

Supplement

For instance, a human somatic cell is in diploid state since it contains 46 chromosomes (in contrast to the sex cell that contains only 23 chromosomes). The 46 chromosomes in somatic cell results from the presence of two sets of chromosomes – one set derived from the father and another set from the mother (during the zygote stage).

Word origin: from Greek diplous, double.
Related forms: diploid (adjective and noun)

Symbol: 2n

Compare: haploidy, polyploidy