Gametes

Gametes are the reproductive cells in organisms that reproduce sexually. They are also known as sex cells. In humans, the male gamete is called a sperm cell, and the female gamete is called an egg or ovum.

Overview

Gametes are produced by a type of cell division called meiosis. This process results in cells that have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. When a sperm and egg combine during fertilization, they form a new cell called a zygote, which has the full number of chromosomes.

Male Gametes

Male gametes, or sperm, are small and motile. They are produced in the testes in a process called spermatogenesis. Each sperm cell consists of a head, which contains the genetic material, a midpiece, which produces energy, and a tail, which propels the sperm.

Female Gametes

Female gametes, or ova, are large and non-motile. They are produced in the ovaries in a process called oogenesis. Each ovum contains a large amount of cytoplasm and genetic material.

Fertilization

Fertilization is the process by which a sperm cell and an ovum combine. The genetic material from each parent combines to form a new individual with a unique set of genes. This process is also known as sexual reproduction.

See Also

• Meiosis
• Spermatogenesis
• Oogenesis
• Fertilization

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