Sperm and egg cells are called gametes. They are also known as reproductive cells or sex cells.
In the context of sexual reproduction, gametes are crucial because they carry half of the genetic information needed to create a new organism. When a sperm cell (male gamete) fertilizes an egg cell (female gamete), their genetic material combines to form a zygote, the first cell of a new individual.
Here's a breakdown:
- Gamete: The general term for a sex cell, encompassing both sperm and egg.
- Sperm: The male gamete.
- Egg (or Ovum): The female gamete.
The process of forming gametes is called gametogenesis, which involves a special type of cell division called meiosis. Meiosis ensures that each gamete contains only half the number of chromosomes as a normal body cell (somatic cell). This is essential so that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct number of chromosomes.
