What is the name given to male or female reproductive cells such as sperm or ovum?

The term used for male or female reproductive cells, such as sperm and ova, is gametes. Gametes are specifically designed for sexual reproduction, where the male gamete (sperm) fertilizes the female gamete (ovum) to form a zygote, which is the initial cell resulting from the fusion of these reproductive cells. This fusion is crucial for sexual reproduction to occur, allowing for genetic variation in the offspring.

Gametes are unique in that they are haploid, meaning they contain half the amount of genetic material (one set of chromosomes) compared to somatic cells, which are diploid and contain two sets of chromosomes. This distinction in chromosome number is essential for maintaining the correct chromosome count in the organism following fertilization.

The other options, such as zygotes, diploids, and chromatids, refer to different concepts within reproductive biology and genetics. A zygote is the result of the fusion of two gametes, diploids signify cells having two sets of chromosomes, and chromatids are the duplicated forms of a chromosome that exist during cell division. These definitions highlight the unique role that gametes have in the reproductive process, underpinning their importance in biology and animal science.