Gamete

A gamete is a haploid cell that fuses with another gamete during sexual reproduction to form a diploid zygote. Gametes are the reproductive cells, and in animals, these are sperm cells (male gametes) and egg cells (female gametes). In plants, the term refers to pollen and ovules.

The defining characteristic of a gamete is its haploid nature, meaning it contains only one set of chromosomes (n). This is in contrast to somatic cells, which are diploid (2n) and contain two sets of chromosomes. The process of meiosis, a type of cell division, reduces the chromosome number from diploid to haploid, producing gametes.

During fertilization, two gametes (one from each parent) fuse together, restoring the diploid number of chromosomes in the zygote (2n). This zygote then develops into a new organism with a genetic makeup derived from both parents.

Gametes are highly specialized cells adapted for their specific function in fertilization. Sperm cells, for instance, typically possess a flagellum for motility, enabling them to travel to the egg. Egg cells are often larger and contain nutrients necessary for the early development of the embryo.

The production of gametes is known as gametogenesis. In males, the process is called spermatogenesis and results in the formation of sperm. In females, the process is called oogenesis and results in the formation of eggs. These processes are complex and involve multiple stages of cell division and differentiation.