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A '''gamete''' is a reproductive cell of an animal or plant. In animals, female gametes are called ova or egg cells, and male gametes are called sperm. Ova and sperm are [[Haploid cells|haploid cells]], with each cell carrying only one copy of each chromosome. During fertilization, a sperm and ovum unite to form a new [[Diploid organism|diploid organism]]. | A '''gamete''' is a reproductive cell of an animal or plant. In animals, female gametes are called ova or egg cells, and male gametes are called sperm. Ova and sperm are [[Haploid cells|haploid cells]], with each cell carrying only one copy of each chromosome. During fertilization, a sperm and ovum unite to form a new [[Diploid organism|diploid organism]]. When the gametes join, they form a cell called a [[Zygote|zygote]]. | ||
In the male, the production of mature sperm cells, or spermatogenesis, results in four haploid gametes, whereas, in the female, the production of a mature egg cell, oogenesis, results in just one mature gamete. | Human sperm and eggs contain 23 chromosomes. Human zygotes contain 46 chromosomes. | ||
In the male, the production of mature sperm cells, or [[Spermatogenesis|spermatogenesis]], results in four haploid gametes, whereas, in the female, the production of a mature egg cell, [[Oogenesis|oogenesis]], results in just one mature gamete. | |||
[[Category: G-Definitions]] | [[Category: G-Definitions]] |