Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

The terms triploid, diploid and haploid refer to?

1. number of chromosomes

2. formation of leaves

3. number of flowers per stem

4. number of bud breaks expected after pruning

The correct answer is: number of chromosomes

The terms triploid, diploid, and haploid specifically relate to the number of chromosomes found within the cells of an organism. Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes—one set inherited from each parent. Most cells in plants and animals are diploid. Haploid cells have only one set of chromosomes. This is typically seen in gametes (sperms and eggs). Triploid cells contain three sets of chromosomes, which can result from hybridization between two different species or varieties. This condition is common in some cultivated plants, which can lead to desirable traits such as seedlessness in fruits. In contrast, the other options involve different aspects of plant biology. The formation of leaves, number of flowers per stem, and bud breaks after pruning are related to plant growth and development rather than the genetic makeup concerning chromosome numbers. Understanding these terms in the context of chromosomes is critical for studying genetics and breeding in horticulture and agriculture.