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The '''Ploidy''' of a [[biological cell]] refers to the number of complete sets of chromosomes. In humans, the gametes ([[Spermatozoon|sperm]] and [[Ovum|egg]]) are haploid, meaning they contain one set of chromosomes (23 chromosomes). After fertilization a diploid zygote is formed, meaning that its cells with a pair of each chromosome, in this case one set from each parent (46 chromosomes). It is possible to have higher levels of ploidy and such cells are described as being [[polyploid]]. Tetraploidy describes an organism with four sets of chromosomes and is one type of polyploidy, fairly common in [[plant]]s, [[amphibian]]s, [[reptile]]s, and various species of [[insect]]s.
The '''ploidy''' of a [[biological cell]] refers to the number of complete sets of chromosomes. In humans, the gametes ([[Spermatozoon|sperm]] and [[Ovum|egg]]) are haploid and they contain one set of chromosomes (23 chromosomes). A diploid zygote is formed by fertilization and its cells have a pair of each chromosome, in this case one set from each parent (46 chromosomes). It is possible to have higher levels of ploidy and such cells are described as being [[polyploid]]. Tetraploidy describes an organism with four sets of chromosomes and is a type of polyploidy fairly common in [[plant]]s, [[amphibian]]s, [[reptile]]s, and various species of [[insect]]s.


==Terminology==
==Terminology==
The number of chromosomes in a single non-homologous set is called the '''monoploid number''' (x). The '''haploid number''' (n) is the number of chromosomes in a [[gamete]] of an individual. Both of these numbers apply to every cell of a given organism. For humans, x = n = 23; a diploid human cell contains 46 chromosomes: 2 complete haploid sets, or 23 homologous chromosome pairs. In some species (especially plants), x and n differ, for example [[common wheat]] is an [[allopolyploid]] with six sets of chromosomes (2n=6x), two sets coming originally from each of three different species, with six sets of chromosomes in most cells and three sets of chromosomes in the gametes.
[[Euploidy]] describes a cell or organism having an integral multiple of the basic set of chromosomes. For example, a typical human cell has 46 chromosomes (diploidy or 2''n''), which is an [[integer|integral]] multiple of the basic set of 23 chromosomes found in the sperm and eggs (haploidy or ''n'').  Any increases in the number of chromosome sets in an organism is considered euploidy and this can be detrimental, even lethal. Plants are more tolerant of large scale chromosome changes and this has even been important for the [[domestication]] of crops. [[Banana]]'s and seedless [[watermelon]]s are both examples of euploids with 3 sets of chromosomes (triploidy or 3''n'')


The Australian bulldog ant, ''[[Myrmecia pilosula]]'', a [[haplodiploid]] species has n = 1, the lowest theoretically possible.
[[Aneuploidy]] is the state of not having euploidy and these conditions are usually described by using the suffix ''-somy''. Examples in a normally diploid organism, such as humans, are a single extra chromosome (trisomy or 2''n'' + 1), or missing a chromosome (monosomy or 2''n'' - 1). [[Down syndrome]] is also known as trisomy 21 since the extra chromosome is number 21. In genetic notation this is sometimes written as '''47, 21+''' to indicate the number of chromosomes, 47 instead of 46, and to clarify the specific chromosome gained. In human development most cases of trisomy have severe abnormalities and will result in a miscarriage, but this is not a general rule.  Many plants can tolerate the loss or gain of chromosomes and thus aneuploids are common in some species.
 
[[Euploidy]] is the state of a cell or organism having an integral multiple of the monoploid number, possibly excluding the [[sex chromosome|sex-determining chromosomes]]. For example, a human cell has 46 chromosomes, which is an [[integer]] multiple of the monoploid number, 23. A human with abnormal, but integral, multiples of this full set (e.g. 69 chromosomes) would also be considered as euploid. '''[[Aneuploidy]]''' is the state of not having euploidy. In humans, examples include having a single extra chromosome (such as [[Down syndrome]]), or missing a chromosome (such as [[Turner syndrome]]). Aneuploidy is not normally considered ''-ploidy'' but ''-somy'', such as [[trisomy]] or [[monosomy]].


== Haploid and monoploid ==
== Haploid and monoploid ==
As stated above, the '''haploid number''' (n) is the number of chromosomes in a [[gamete]] of an individual, and this is distinct from the monoploid number (x) which is the number of unique chromosomes in a single complete set. Gametes ([[sperm]], and [[ovum|ova]]) are haploid cells. The haploid gametes produced by (most) diploid organisms are monoploid, and these can combine to form a diploid [[zygote]]. For example, most animals are diploid and produce monoploid gametes.  
During [[meiosis]], germ cell precursors have their number of chromosomes halved by randomly separating the homologous pairs, resulting in haploid [[gamete]]s (sperm or eggs). The haploid number (n) is the number of chromosomes in a gamete of an individual, and this is distinct from the monoploid number (x) which is the number of unique chromosomes in a single complete set. For diploid organisms the haploid and monoploid numbers are synonymous but for some polyploids they can be distinct. For humans, x = n = 23; a diploid human cell contains 46 chromosomes: 2 complete haploid sets, or 23 homologous chromosome pairs. The hexaploid [[wheat]] has six sets of chromosomes in most cells and three sets of chromosomes in the gametes (n=3x).  


During [[meiosis]], germ cell precursors have their number of chromosomes halved by randomly "choosing" one homologue, resulting in haploid gametes. Because homologous chromosomes usually differ genetically, gametes usually differ genetically from one another.
Some organisms have life cycles where the haploid state plays a more prominent role. All [[plant]]s and many fungi and algae switch between a haploid and a diploid state, called [[alternation of generations]], with one of the stages emphasized over the other. Most [[fungus|fungi]] and [[alga]]e are haploid during the principal stage of their life cycle. Male [[bees]], [[wasps]], and [[ants]] are haploid organisms because of the way they develop from unfertilized egg cells. Theoretically, the lowest possible haploid value is 1 and an example is the Australian bulldog ant, ''[[Myrmecia pilosula]]''.


All [[plant]]s and many fungi and algae switch between a haploid and a diploid state (which may be [[polyploid]]), with one of the stages emphasized over the other. This is called [[alternation of generations]]. Most [[fungus|fungi]] and [[alga]]e are haploid during the principal stage of their life cycle.
Haploidisation is the process of creating a haploid cell (usually from a diploid cell). A laboratory procedure called haploidisation forces a normal cell to expel half of its chromosomal complement. In [[mammals]] this renders this cell chromosomally equal to [[Spermatozoon|sperm]] or [[Ovum|egg]]. This was one of the procedures used by [[Japan]]ese researchers to produce [[Kaguya (mouse)|Kaguya]], a fatherless [[mouse]]. Haploidisation sometimes occurs in plants when meiotically reduced cells (usually egg cells) develop by [[parthenogenesis]].
<!-- == Dihaploidy and Polyhaploidy ==
Dihaploid and polyhaploid cells are formed by haploidisation of polyploids, i.e., by halving the chromosome constitution. -->


[[Male]] [[bees]], [[wasps]], and [[ants]] are haploid organisms because of the way they develop from unfertilized, haploid [[egg cells]].  
The term “dihaploid” was coined by Bender<ref>Bender, K. 1963. “Über die Erzeugung und Entstehung dihaploider Pflanzen bei ''Solanum tuberosum''”. ''Zeitschrift für Pflanzenzüchtung'' 50: 141–166.</ref> to combine in one word the number of genome copies (diploid) and their origin (haploid). The term is well established in this original sense<ref>Nogler, G.A. 1984. Gametophytic apomixis. In ''Embryology of angiosperms''. Edited by B.M. Johri. Springer, Berlin, Germany. pp. 475–518.</ref><ref>* Pehu, E. 1996. The current status of knowledge on the cellular biology of potato. ''Potato Research'' 39: 429–435.</ref>, but it has also been used for doubled monoploids or [[doubled haploidy|doubled haploids]], which are homozygous and used for genetic research<ref>* Sprague, G.F., Russell, W.A., and Penny, L.H. 1960. Mutations affecting quantitative traits in the selfed progeny of double monoploid maize stocks. ''Genetics'' 45(7): 855–866.</ref>.
 
In humans, the monoploid number (x) equals the haploid number (n), x = n = 23, but in some species (especially plants), these numbers differ. [[Common wheat]] has six sets of chromosomes in the [[somatic]] cells, derived from its three different ancestral species. The gametes of common wheat are considered as haploid since they contain half the genetic information of somatic cells, but are not monoploid as they still contain three complete sets of chromosomes (n = 3x).


== Diploid ==
== Diploid ==
Line 25: Line 23:
[[Retrovirus]]es that contain two copies of their RNA genome in each viral particle are also said to be diploid. Examples include [[human foamy virus]], [[human T-lymphotropic virus]], and [[HIV]].<ref>[http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/jmoodie/hiv2.html]</ref>
[[Retrovirus]]es that contain two copies of their RNA genome in each viral particle are also said to be diploid. Examples include [[human foamy virus]], [[human T-lymphotropic virus]], and [[HIV]].<ref>[http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/jmoodie/hiv2.html]</ref>


== Haploidisation ==
== Polyploidy ==
'''Haploidisation''' (haploidization) is the process of creating a haploid cell (usually from a diploid cell).
[[Polyploidy]] is the state where all cells have multiple sets of chromosomes beyond the basic set. These may be from the same species or from closely related species. In the latter case these are known as allopolyploids (or amphidiploids, which are allopolyploids that behave as if they were normal diploids). Allopolyploids are formed from the hybridization of two separate species. In plants, this probably most often occurs from the pairing of meiotically unreduced [[gametes]], and not by diploid–diploid hybridization followed by chromosome doubling<ref>Ramsey, J., and Schemske, D.W. 2002. "Neopolyploidy in flowering plants". ''Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics'' 33: 589–639.</ref>.


A laboratory procedure called haploidisation forces a normal cell to expel half of its chromosomal complement. In [[mammals]] this renders this cell chromosomally equal to [[Spermatozoon|sperm]] or [[Ovum|egg]]. This was one of the procedures used by [[Japan]]ese researchers to produce [[Kaguya (mouse)|Kaguya]], a fatherless [[mouse]].
The extreme in polyploidy occurs in the fern-ally genus '''[[Ophioglossum]]''', the adder's-tongues, in which polyploidy results in chromosome counts in the hundreds, or in at least one case, well over one thousand. Interestingly, these plants seem to have simplified structures in their [[phenotype]].
 
Haploidisation sometimes occurs in plants when meiotically reduced cells (usually egg cells) develop by [[parthenogenesis]].
 
== Polyploidy ==
[[Polyploidy]] is the state where all cells have multiple sets of chromosomes beyond the basic set. These may be from the same species or from closely related species. In the latter case these are known as allopolyploids (or amphidiploids, which are allopolyploids that behave as if they were normal diploids). Allopolyploids are formed from the hybridization of two separate species. In plants, this probably most often occurs from the pairing of meiotically unreduced [[gametes]], and not by diploid–diploid hybridization followed by chromosome doubling<ref>Ramsey, J., and Schemske, D.W. 2002. "Neopolyploidy in flowering plants". ''Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics'' 33: 589–639.</ref>. The so-called [[Triangle of U|Brassica triangle]] is an example of allopolyploidy, where three different parent species have hybridized in each pair combination to produce three new species.


==Endoreduplication==
Polyploidy occurs commonly in plants, but rarely in animals. Even in diploid organisms many [[somatic cell]]s are polyploid due to a process called [[endoreduplication]] where duplication of the [[genome]] occurs without [[mitosis]] (cell division).
Polyploidy occurs commonly in plants, but rarely in animals. Even in diploid organisms many [[somatic cell]]s are polyploid due to a process called [[endoreduplication]] where duplication of the [[genome]] occurs without [[mitosis]] (cell division).


The extreme in polyploidy occurs in the fern-ally genus '''[[Ophioglossum]]''', the adder's-tongues, in which polyploidy results in chromosome counts in the hundreds, or in at least one case, well over one thousand. Interestingly, these plants seem to have simplified structures in their [[phenotype]].
== Variable or indefinite ploidy ==
Bacteria are usually thought of having only one copy of their genome but depending on growth conditions, [[prokaryotes]] may have a chromosome copy number of 1 to 4, and that number is commonly fractional, counting portions of the chromosome partly replicated at a given time. This is because under logarithmic growth conditions the cells are able to replicate their DNA faster than they can divide. Even when bacteria grow more slowly it is possible for them to gain extra copies of genes by [[transformation]], [[conjugation]] or [[transduction]]. A specific term for this is merodiploid although it is used less often than a synonymous term [[merozygote]] or more simply, partial diploid.  


== Variable or indefinite ploidy ==
Organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria share many characteristics with bacteria but their DNA content can have a high copy number, sometimes more than one hundred copies. This is similar to the concept of ploidy but the term is not used to describe this phenomena.
Depending on growth conditions, [[prokaryotes]] such as bacteria may have a chromosome copy number of 1 to 4, and that number is commonly fractional, counting portions of the chromosome partly replicated at a given time. This is because under logarithmic growth conditions the cells are able to replicate their DNA faster than they can divide.


==Mixoploidy==
==Mixoploidy==
Mixoploidy refers to the presence of two cell lines, one diploid and one polyploid. Though polyploidy in humans is not viable, mixoploidy has been found in live adults and children. There are two types: diploid-triploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 chromosomes and some have 69, and diploid-tetraploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 and some have 92 chromosomes.
Mixoploidy refers to the presence of two cell lines, one diploid and one polyploid. Though polyploidy in humans is not viable, mixoploidy has been found in live adults and children. There are two types: diploid-triploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 chromosomes and some have 69, and diploid-tetraploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 and some have 92 chromosomes.


== Dihaploidy and Polyhaploidy ==
 
Dihaploid and polyhaploid cells are formed by haploidisation of polyploids, i.e., by halving the chromosome constitution.
 
==Agriculture and ploidy==
The so-called [[Triangle of U|Brassica triangle]] is an example of allopolyploidy, where three different parent species have hybridized in each pair combination to produce three new species.


Dihaploids (which are diploid) are important for selective breeding of tetraploid crop plants (notably potatoes), because selection is faster with diploids than with tetraploids. Tetraploids can be reconstituted from the diploids, for example by somatic fusion.
Dihaploids (which are diploid) are important for selective breeding of tetraploid crop plants (notably potatoes), because selection is faster with diploids than with tetraploids. Tetraploids can be reconstituted from the diploids, for example by somatic fusion.
The term “dihaploid” was coined by Bender<ref>Bender, K. 1963. “Über die Erzeugung und Entstehung dihaploider Pflanzen bei ''Solanum tuberosum''”. ''Zeitschrift für Pflanzenzüchtung'' 50: 141–166.</ref> to combine in one word the number of genome copies (diploid) and their origin (haploid). The term is well established in this original sense<ref>Nogler, G.A. 1984. Gametophytic apomixis. In ''Embryology of angiosperms''. Edited by B.M. Johri. Springer, Berlin, Germany. pp. 475–518.</ref><ref>* Pehu, E. 1996. The current status of knowledge on the cellular biology of potato. ''Potato Research'' 39: 429–435.</ref>, but it has also been used for doubled monoploids or [[doubled haploidy|doubled haploids]], which are homozygous and used for genetic research<ref>* Sprague, G.F., Russell, W.A., and Penny, L.H. 1960. Mutations affecting quantitative traits in the selfed progeny of double monoploid maize stocks. ''Genetics'' 45(7): 855–866.</ref>.


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
* Griffiths, A. J. et al. 2000. An introduction to genetic analysis, 7th ed. W. H. Freeman, New York ISBN 0-7167-3520-2
* Griffiths, A. J. et al. 2000. An introduction to genetic analysis, 7th ed. W. H. Freeman, New York ISBN 0-7167-3520-2[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

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The ploidy of a biological cell refers to the number of complete sets of chromosomes. In humans, the gametes (sperm and egg) are haploid and they contain one set of chromosomes (23 chromosomes). A diploid zygote is formed by fertilization and its cells have a pair of each chromosome, in this case one set from each parent (46 chromosomes). It is possible to have higher levels of ploidy and such cells are described as being polyploid. Tetraploidy describes an organism with four sets of chromosomes and is a type of polyploidy fairly common in plants, amphibians, reptiles, and various species of insects.

Terminology

Euploidy describes a cell or organism having an integral multiple of the basic set of chromosomes. For example, a typical human cell has 46 chromosomes (diploidy or 2n), which is an integral multiple of the basic set of 23 chromosomes found in the sperm and eggs (haploidy or n). Any increases in the number of chromosome sets in an organism is considered euploidy and this can be detrimental, even lethal. Plants are more tolerant of large scale chromosome changes and this has even been important for the domestication of crops. Banana's and seedless watermelons are both examples of euploids with 3 sets of chromosomes (triploidy or 3n)

Aneuploidy is the state of not having euploidy and these conditions are usually described by using the suffix -somy. Examples in a normally diploid organism, such as humans, are a single extra chromosome (trisomy or 2n + 1), or missing a chromosome (monosomy or 2n - 1). Down syndrome is also known as trisomy 21 since the extra chromosome is number 21. In genetic notation this is sometimes written as 47, 21+ to indicate the number of chromosomes, 47 instead of 46, and to clarify the specific chromosome gained. In human development most cases of trisomy have severe abnormalities and will result in a miscarriage, but this is not a general rule. Many plants can tolerate the loss or gain of chromosomes and thus aneuploids are common in some species.

Haploid and monoploid

During meiosis, germ cell precursors have their number of chromosomes halved by randomly separating the homologous pairs, resulting in haploid gametes (sperm or eggs). The haploid number (n) is the number of chromosomes in a gamete of an individual, and this is distinct from the monoploid number (x) which is the number of unique chromosomes in a single complete set. For diploid organisms the haploid and monoploid numbers are synonymous but for some polyploids they can be distinct. For humans, x = n = 23; a diploid human cell contains 46 chromosomes: 2 complete haploid sets, or 23 homologous chromosome pairs. The hexaploid wheat has six sets of chromosomes in most cells and three sets of chromosomes in the gametes (n=3x).

Some organisms have life cycles where the haploid state plays a more prominent role. All plants and many fungi and algae switch between a haploid and a diploid state, called alternation of generations, with one of the stages emphasized over the other. Most fungi and algae are haploid during the principal stage of their life cycle. Male bees, wasps, and ants are haploid organisms because of the way they develop from unfertilized egg cells. Theoretically, the lowest possible haploid value is 1 and an example is the Australian bulldog ant, Myrmecia pilosula.

Haploidisation is the process of creating a haploid cell (usually from a diploid cell). A laboratory procedure called haploidisation forces a normal cell to expel half of its chromosomal complement. In mammals this renders this cell chromosomally equal to sperm or egg. This was one of the procedures used by Japanese researchers to produce Kaguya, a fatherless mouse. Haploidisation sometimes occurs in plants when meiotically reduced cells (usually egg cells) develop by parthenogenesis.

The term “dihaploid” was coined by Bender[1] to combine in one word the number of genome copies (diploid) and their origin (haploid). The term is well established in this original sense[2][3], but it has also been used for doubled monoploids or doubled haploids, which are homozygous and used for genetic research[4].

Diploid

Diploid (indicated by 2x) cells have two homologous copies of each chromosome, usually one from the mother and one from the father. The exact number of chromosomes may be one or two different from the 2 number yet the cell may still be classified as diploid (although with aneuploidy). Nearly all mammals are diploid organisms (the viscacha rats Pipanacoctomys aureus and Tympanoctomys barrerae are the only known exceptions as of 2004[5]), although all individuals have some small fraction of cells that display polyploidy. Human diploid cells have 46 chromosomes and human haploid gametes (egg and sperm) have 23 chromosomes.

Retroviruses that contain two copies of their RNA genome in each viral particle are also said to be diploid. Examples include human foamy virus, human T-lymphotropic virus, and HIV.[6]

Polyploidy

Polyploidy is the state where all cells have multiple sets of chromosomes beyond the basic set. These may be from the same species or from closely related species. In the latter case these are known as allopolyploids (or amphidiploids, which are allopolyploids that behave as if they were normal diploids). Allopolyploids are formed from the hybridization of two separate species. In plants, this probably most often occurs from the pairing of meiotically unreduced gametes, and not by diploid–diploid hybridization followed by chromosome doubling[7].

The extreme in polyploidy occurs in the fern-ally genus Ophioglossum, the adder's-tongues, in which polyploidy results in chromosome counts in the hundreds, or in at least one case, well over one thousand. Interestingly, these plants seem to have simplified structures in their phenotype.

Endoreduplication

Polyploidy occurs commonly in plants, but rarely in animals. Even in diploid organisms many somatic cells are polyploid due to a process called endoreduplication where duplication of the genome occurs without mitosis (cell division).

Variable or indefinite ploidy

Bacteria are usually thought of having only one copy of their genome but depending on growth conditions, prokaryotes may have a chromosome copy number of 1 to 4, and that number is commonly fractional, counting portions of the chromosome partly replicated at a given time. This is because under logarithmic growth conditions the cells are able to replicate their DNA faster than they can divide. Even when bacteria grow more slowly it is possible for them to gain extra copies of genes by transformation, conjugation or transduction. A specific term for this is merodiploid although it is used less often than a synonymous term merozygote or more simply, partial diploid.

Organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria share many characteristics with bacteria but their DNA content can have a high copy number, sometimes more than one hundred copies. This is similar to the concept of ploidy but the term is not used to describe this phenomena.

Mixoploidy

Mixoploidy refers to the presence of two cell lines, one diploid and one polyploid. Though polyploidy in humans is not viable, mixoploidy has been found in live adults and children. There are two types: diploid-triploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 chromosomes and some have 69, and diploid-tetraploid mixoploidy, in which some cells have 46 and some have 92 chromosomes.


Agriculture and ploidy

The so-called Brassica triangle is an example of allopolyploidy, where three different parent species have hybridized in each pair combination to produce three new species.

Dihaploids (which are diploid) are important for selective breeding of tetraploid crop plants (notably potatoes), because selection is faster with diploids than with tetraploids. Tetraploids can be reconstituted from the diploids, for example by somatic fusion.

References

  1. Bender, K. 1963. “Über die Erzeugung und Entstehung dihaploider Pflanzen bei Solanum tuberosum”. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenzüchtung 50: 141–166.
  2. Nogler, G.A. 1984. Gametophytic apomixis. In Embryology of angiosperms. Edited by B.M. Johri. Springer, Berlin, Germany. pp. 475–518.
  3. * Pehu, E. 1996. The current status of knowledge on the cellular biology of potato. Potato Research 39: 429–435.
  4. * Sprague, G.F., Russell, W.A., and Penny, L.H. 1960. Mutations affecting quantitative traits in the selfed progeny of double monoploid maize stocks. Genetics 45(7): 855–866.
  5. Gallardo, M. H. et al. (2004). Whole-genome duplications in South American desert rodents (Octodontidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 82, 443-451.
  6. [1]
  7. Ramsey, J., and Schemske, D.W. 2002. "Neopolyploidy in flowering plants". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 33: 589–639.
  • Griffiths, A. J. et al. 2000. An introduction to genetic analysis, 7th ed. W. H. Freeman, New York ISBN 0-7167-3520-2