In the context of basic meiotic genetics, what is the female sex cell (female gamete) called?

• A. Ovum (egg cell)
• B. Zygote
• C. Spermatozoon (sperm cell)
• D. Somatic cell

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the terminology related to reproductive cells in meiosis: gametes are the sex cells produced by meiosis, which are haploid cells.
2. Recall that in females, the gamete produced by meiosis is called the ovum or egg cell, which is the female sex cell.
3. Recognize that the spermatozoon (sperm cell) is the male gamete, produced by males during meiosis.
4. Note that a zygote is the diploid cell formed after the fusion of male and female gametes, not a gamete itself.
5. Identify that somatic cells are all body cells other than gametes and do not participate directly in sexual reproduction.