Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

What is a haploid cell?

1. A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes

2. A cell that contains one set of chromosomes

3. A cell that is in the process of dividing

4. A cell that has no DNA

The correct answer is: A cell that contains one set of chromosomes

A haploid cell is defined as a cell that contains one set of chromosomes. This means that it has half the number of chromosomes compared to a diploid cell, which contains two sets. Haploid cells are typically produced through the process of meiosis, which occurs during the formation of gametes—sperm and egg cells in animals. Such cells are crucial for sexual reproduction, as fertilization of a haploid sperm and a haploid egg results in a diploid zygote, restoring the full set of chromosomes. In contrast, a cell that contains two sets of chromosomes refers to diploid cells, typically found in most somatic (body) cells. Cells in the process of dividing may be in various stages of mitosis or meiosis, but not all dividing cells are haploid; they can equally be diploid. Lastly, a cell that has no DNA does not fulfill the basic criteria for being a cell, as all cells must contain genetic material to function and replicate. These distinctions clearly illuminate why a haploid cell is identified by its single set of chromosomes.