Gametes: Haploid Sex Cells (Sperm and Ova) Essential for Fertilization
Definition
A gamete is a mature haploid (n) germ cell—sperm in males, ovum (oocyte) in females—that fuses with another gamete during fertilization to form a diploid (2n) zygote.
Production
- Spermatogenesis – In testes; continuous from puberty; produces 4 sperm per meiosis.
- Oogenesis – In ovaries; begins prenatally, arrests until puberty; 1 ovum + polar bodies per meiosis.
Key Features
- Haploid chromosome complement (23 in humans).
- Genetic recombination (crossing over) creates diversity.
- Specialized structures: sperm flagellum for motility; oocyte zona pellucida for sperm binding.
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