Final answer:
Diploid cells (2n) contain two sets of chromosomes, with most body cells being diploid, having a complete set from both parents. Haploid cells (n) contain a single set of chromosomes and are specialized for sexual reproduction, like sperm and eggs. Through meiosis, diploid cells produce haploid gametes.
Step-by-step explanation:
To distinguish between diploid (2n) and haploid (n) cells, one must understand the number of chromosome sets contained within the cell's nucleus. Diploid cells contain two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent, and are designated as 2n. These are the typical cells that make up most of the organism's body, known as somatic cells, which have a complete set of chromosomes. For example, human somatic cells are diploid with 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent.
In contrast, haploid cells contain only a single set of chromosomes and are designated as n. These are specialized cells used in sexual reproduction, such as gametes (sperm and eggs). In humans, each gamete carries 23 chromosomes, which is half the number found in somatic cells. Upon fertilization, two haploid cells combine to form a diploid zygote, restoring the full chromosome count for the species.
During the process of meiosis, a diploid cell undergoes two consecutive divisions to produce four haploid daughter cells. Meiosis I reduces the chromosome number by separating homologous chromosomes, and Meiosis II separates sister chromatids. This ensures that each gamete ends up with only one set of chromosomes. Consequently, haploid cells such as gametes are the end product of meiosis, not the starting point, and they do not undergo meiosis themselves.