Gamete

Gamete

A gamete is a mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.

Overview

In humans, gametes are the spermatozoon (in males) or ovum (in females). Each gamete carries half of the genetic material required to form a new individual, so when one gamete unites with another of the opposite sex, the resulting zygote is a combination of the genetic material from each gamete.

Formation of Gametes

Gametes are formed through a process of cell division called meiosis. This two-step division process produces four haploid daughter cells. Haploid cells contain half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.

Types of Gametes

There are two types of gametes:

• Spermatozoa (sperm): These are the male gametes. In humans, they are produced by the testes and are small and motile.
• Ova (egg cells): These are the female gametes. In humans, they are produced by the ovaries and are large and non-motile.

Role in Sexual Reproduction

The main role of gametes in sexual reproduction is to ensure the transfer of genetic material from one generation to the next. The combination of genetic material from two parents allows for genetic variation in the offspring.

See Also

• Meiosis
• Fertilization
• Zygote
• Sexual reproduction
• Haploid
• Diploid

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