Final answer:
A human lung cell is considered a diploid cell because it contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46. Diploid cells such as somatic cells have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, unlike haploid cells which contain only one set.
Step-by-step explanation:
A human lung cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes and is therefore considered a diploid cell.
A diploid cell, such as a somatic cell, has two sets of chromosomes - one inherited from each parent.
The human body, being diploid, has somatic cells that contain 46 chromosomes total, or 23 homologous pairs.
In contrast, haploid cells, like human gametes (sperm or egg), have only one set of 23 chromosomes.
Thus, each somatic cell carries two sets of chromosomes, which makes it diploid.
To clarify a common point of confusion, the somatic cells are not haploid; this term is reserved for the reproductive cells.
Somatic cells divide regularly and each contains a full complement of chromosomes, reflecting the state of diploidy in humans.