What is ploidy?

Some of you seem to be confused about what ploidy means. Hope the following helps:

Ploidy = no. of single sets of chromosomes in a cell
- Haploid cells (gametes, for example either the sperm or the egg cell) --> one set of chromosomes (either from father/mother)
- Diploid cells (somatic cells) --> two sets of chromosomes (one set from father/paternal side, one set from mother/maternal side)

KARYOTYPE (number of chromosomes, and what they look like under a light microscope) OF A DIPLOID CELL (below)

P.S.

Please don't forget to refer to the learning outcomes for this topic when you study. Note that when you're describing the behaviour of the chromosomes during mitosis/meiosis, you have to mention the KEY WORDS that have been BOLDED (e.g. "centromere divides") in your lecture notes. :)