- Define the term Gamete
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Gametes are the specialized reproductive cells that come together during sexual reproduction to form a new organism. In humans and many other organisms, the male gamete is called sperm, while the female gamete is called an egg or ovum. Each gamete carries half the genetic information required, which means that when they unite, they create a zygote with a full set of chromosomes. Fun fact: The process that produces gametes is called meiosis, which not only reduces the chromosome number by half but also introduces genetic diversity through a process called crossing over. This means that each gamete has a unique combination of genes, adding to the lil’ genetic lottery that is life!