Gamete

A gamete^[1] is a specialized sex cell that fuses with another gamete during fertilization (conception) in organisms that reproduce sexually. Gametes are haploid—they have only one copy of each chromosome. All other cells in an animal are diploid—they have two copies of each chromosome. Gametes are produced by germ cells.

In species which produce two morphologically distinct types of gametes, and in which each individual produces only one type, a female is any individual which produces the larger type of gamete—called an ovum (or egg)—and a male produces the smaller type—called a spermatozoon (or sperm cell).

The name gamete was introduced by the Austrian biologist Gregor Mendel.

1. ↑ (from Ancient Greek γαμετης; translated gamete = wife, gametes = husband)