What ploidy level do most animals exhibit?

Most animals are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent. This diploid state supports the majority of an animal's life cycle, especially during the somatic (body) cells' formation, which contain the full set of chromosomes.

In addition to supporting various biological functions such as growth, development, and repair of tissues, being diploid allows for greater genetic diversity through sexual reproduction. During this process, gametes (sperm and eggs) are produced through meiosis, resulting in haploid cells that combine during fertilization to restore the diploid state in the zygote.

While there are exceptions in the animal kingdom, such as certain species that may exhibit haploid (like male bees) or polyploid states, these are not the norm. Thus, diploidy serves as the standard ploidy level for most animals, ensuring the stable transmission of genetic material through generations.