University of Central Florida (UCF) BSC1005 Biological Principles Practice Exam 2

The correct term for cells that have an unpaired set of chromosomes is haploid. Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes, which means they have half the number of chromosomes typically found in diploid cells. This is characteristic of gametes, such as sperm and egg cells in sexual reproduction, where two haploid cells combine to form a diploid organism.

In contrast, diploid cells possess two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Polyploid cells have more than two sets of chromosomes, which is common in certain plants and can lead to increased size and vigor. Diplohaploid refers to organisms or cells that exhibit both diploid and haploid stages, often seen in certain life cycles but not applicable to the definition of unpaired chromosomes. Thus, haploid is specifically linked to the presence of a single, unpaired set of chromosomes.