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Biochemistry
Introduction to Biochemistry
Water and Mineral Salts
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Enzymes
Nucleic Acids
Cell Biology
Cell Organization
Membranes
Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement
Cellular Digestion and Secretion
Cell Nucleus
Cell Division
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Protein Synthesis
Microbiology
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Virus
Zoology
Introduction to Taxonomy
Poriferans
Cnidarians
Platyhelminthes
Nematodes
Annelids
Molluscs
Arthropods
Echinoderms
Chordates
Fishes
Amphibians
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Physiology
General Histology
Blood
Metabolism and Nutrition
Digestion
Respiration
Circulation
Excretion
Skin and Coverings
Musculoskeletal System
Nervous System
Vision
Hearing and Balance
Endocrine System
Immune System
Gametogenesis
Reproduction
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View chapter-related images
sperm cells egg cells meiosis germ cells gonads spermatogenesis spermiogenesis
oogenesis acrosome reaction
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What are gametes?
Gametes are cells specialized in sexual reproduction. They contain half of the maximum number of chromosomes of the species and unite with another gamete giving birth to a zygote with the double of the number of chromosomes of the gametic cells.
In humans gametes are formed by meiosis; the male gametes are the sperm cells and the female gametes are the egg cells.
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What is the type of cell division that allows sexual reproduction? What is gametogenesis?
Meiosis is the type of cell division that allows sexual reproduction since it reduces to a half the number of chromosomes of the species making possible the combination of two gametes to form a new individual. (In some beings meiosis creates haploid gametophytes that by means of mitosis generate gametes. Even in this case the function of meiosis is the same: to provide cells with half of the number of chromosomes of the species with separation of the homologous.)
Gametogenesis is the name given to the process of gamete production.
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What is the name of the cells capable of making gametes? What is the ploidy of these gamete-forming cells?
The cells that form gametes are the germ cells as opposed to the somatic cells. The germ cells have the same number of chromosomes as the somatic cells (only during the formation of gametes meiosis occurs and the number of chromosomes is reduced to half).
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Embryology
General Embryology
Extraembryonic Membranes
Botany
Plant Classification and Life Cycles
Bryophytes
Pteridophytes
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Plant Tissues
Plant Physiology
Genetics
Fundamentals of Genetics
Mendel's Laws
Variations of Inheritance
Linkage and Crossing Over
Sex and Sex-Linked Inheritance
Blood Groups
Karyotype and Genetic Diseases
Genetic Distribution
Genetic Manipulation
Evolution
Hypothesis on the Origin of Life
Evolutionary Theory
Ecology
Notions on Ecology
Earth Biomes
Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biodiversity
Ecological Interactions
Ecological Succession
Populations
Environmental Problems
Diseases
Notions on Parasitism
Bacterial Infections
Protozoan Infections
Fungal Infections
Viral Infections
AIDS
Worm Infections
Prion Diseases
Degenerative Diseases
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