gamete

/ˈɡæmit/

Other forms: gametes

A gamete is the male or female reproductive cell that contains half the genetic material of the organism.

When two human gametes meet — that is, a sperm cell and an ovum — you get a zygote, a fertilized egg. And, if all goes well, that zygote will become a human baby.

Definitions of gamete

1. noun

   a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes
   types:

   anisogamete

   either of a pair of unlike gametes especially those unlike in size

   isogamete

   either of a pair of conjugating gametes of the same size and structure

   sperm, sperm cell, spermatozoan, spermatozoon

   the male reproductive cell; the male gamete

   egg cell, ovum

   the female reproductive cell; the female gamete

   spermatid

   an immature gamete produced by a spermatocyte; develops into a spermatozoon

   oosphere

   a gamete; used especially of lower plants

   antherozoid, spermatozoid

   a motile male gamete of a plant such as an alga or fern or gymnosperm

   egg

   animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds

   ootid

   mature ovum after penetration by sperm but before the formation of a zygote

   ovule

   a small or immature ovum

   type of:

   germ cell, reproductive cell, sex cell

   a spermatozoon or an ovum; a cell responsible for transmitting DNA to the next generation