Gamete (Noun)
Meaning
A mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- In the reproductive process, a sperm and egg cell are two types of gametes that unite during fertilization.
- Gametes contain only one set of chromosomes, in contrast to somatic cells, which have two sets.
- Each gamete is formed through meiosis, a process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half.
- Human gametes are either ovum, produced by the ovaries, or sperm, produced by the testes.
- Fusion of gametes results in a zygote with a unique combination of chromosomes, marking the beginning of a new individual's development.