Final answer:
Most animals and plants are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes called homologous chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes are matched pairs that contain the same genes in identical locations along their length. Diploid organisms inherit one copy of each homologous chromosome from each parent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most animals and plants are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes. In an organism's somatic cells, sometimes referred to as "body" cells (all cells of a multicellular organism except the reproductive cells), the nucleus contains two copies of each chromosome, called homologous chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes are matched pairs containing the same genes in identical locations along their length. Diploid organisms inherit one copy of each homologous chromosome from each parent; all together, they are considered a full set of chromosomes. Haploid cells, containing a single copy of each homologous chromosome, are found only within an organism's reproductive structures, such as the ovaries and testes. Haploid cells can be either gametes or spores. Male gametes are sperm and female gametes are eggs. All animals and most plants produce gametes. Spores are haploid cells that can produce a haploid organism or can fuse with another spore to form a diploid cell. Some plants and all fungi produce spores.