GAMETE Meaning and
Definition
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A gamete is a specialized reproductive cell in sexually reproducing organisms, such as animals, plants, and some fungi. It is a haploid cell containing half the number of chromosomes found in the somatic cells of the organism. Gametes function in sexual reproduction by fusing with another gamete during fertilization, leading to the formation of a zygote with the full complement of chromosomes.
In animals, the male gametes are called sperm cells, produced within the testes, while the female gametes are called egg cells, which are produced within the ovaries. Sperm cells are typically motile and have a smaller size, while egg cells are larger and non-motile. Plant gametes are usually called pollen or sperm cells (male gametes) and ovules or egg cells (female gametes).
The production of gametes is achieved through a process called meiosis, where the diploid cells undergo two rounds of cell division resulting in the formation of four genetically unique haploid gametes. The genetic diversity generated through the formation of gametes contributes to the variation within a species and allows for natural selection and adaptation.
Gametes are essential for sexual reproduction as they ensure genetic diversity and are responsible for the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.
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1. One of two cells undergoing caryogamy or true conjugation. 2. In heredity any germ-cell, whether ovum, spermatozoon, or pollen-cell.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of GAMETE
The word "gamete" is derived from the Greek word "gametés", which means "husband" or "wife", referring to a spouse. This term was first used by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in the late 19th century to describe the male and female reproductive cells responsible for sexual reproduction. Since then, "gamete" has become widely adopted in the field of biology to denote the specialized reproductive cells of organisms.
Similar spelling words for GAMETE
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