Gametes are sex cells; that is, the cells which can be fertilised by gametes of the opposite sex. In females gametes are known as eggs, oocytes or ovum. In males gametes are known as sperm or spermatozoa.
Gametes are haploid cells with 23 chromosomes. All other cells in the body are diploid cells with 46 chromosomes. Upon fertilisation (the joining of female and male gametes) the two sets 23 chromosomes join to produce a single diploid (46 chromosome) cell, from which the foetus develops during pregnancy.
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