Final answer:
Diploid cells can create numerous proteins from two copies of genes through transcription, where an mRNA copy is made, and translation, which dictates amino acid sequences. Not all genes are expressed in each cell, allowing for specialized cell functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A diploid cell can indeed possess only two copies of most genes, yet have the capacity to produce hundreds of copies of a protein from those genes every second. This prolific production is possible due to a process known as transcription. During transcription, a gene that encodes a specific protein is activated. The cell's machinery then produces a single-stranded messenger RNA (mRNA) copy of that gene. Following this, another process called translation uses the code in the mRNA to assemble the protein, using the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA to determine the correct sequence of amino acids in the protein.
This ability to turn specific genes on or off is crucial for the functioning of a multicellular organism, as it allows different cells to perform distinct and specialized functions. In the context of gene expression, not every gene is actively expressed in every cell. The regulated process of transcription and translation ensures that only the necessary proteins are produced, contributing to the diversity of cell functions in an organism.