Definition

Describing an organism that has only one set of chromosomes for most of its life cycle, but briefly has two sets when it forms a zygote.

Example

The plant species is haplontic, spending most of its life in the haploid stage before forming a diploid zygote.

Conversation

Did you know that some plants are haplontic for most of their life cycle?

Really? I had no idea what that meant!

Yeah, it means they spend most of their time in a haploid state.

That’s fascinating! Nature has so many interesting strategies.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Haplontic → It is formed from "haplo-" (from Greek "haplos", meaning single or simple) and "-ntic" (a suffix used in forming adjectives). The term "haplontic" refers to a life cycle stage in which the organism is haploid, meaning it has a single set of chromosomes.

Memory Tip

Think of 'haplo-' meaning 'single' or 'simple' to remember that 'haplontic' describes a life stage with a single set of chromosomes.

Visually Confused Words