Final answer:
Merodiploidy refers to a bacterial cell with duplicate copies of a gene due to genetic duplication, not a haploid organism missing genome parts. In eukaryotes, similar conditions like polyploidy involve having extra chromosome sets and can lead to unique traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement given is false. A merodiploid is not a haploid organism missing part of its genome; instead, it is a bacterial cell that contains two copies of a particular gene or genes owing to a partial duplication within its genetic material.
Generally, this happens when a portion of the genetic material from a plasmid or another part of a genome is integrated into the bacterial chromosome.
This creates a situation where one copy of the gene is on the chromosome and another is on an extra-chromosomal element or another location on the chromosome itself.
In the context of eukaryotic organisms, when discussing entities such as plants or animals, terms like polyploidy are often encountered. Polyploidy refers to the condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
Unlike merodiploidy in bacteria, polyploid eukaryotes are not necessarily considered abnormal, and this situation can lead to unique characteristics, such as increased size in plants.