What is the female reproductive cell also known as a gamete?

The female reproductive cell, known as a gamete, is referred to as an ovum. The ovum is a specialized cell that is involved in sexual reproduction, carrying the genetic material necessary to combine with male sperm to create a new organism. During the process of fertilization, the ovum provides not just genetic contribution but also is the larger of the two gametes, containing nutrients and cellular machinery required for the first stages of embryonic development.

In contrast, sperm is the male gamete, while a follicle is the structure that contains and nurtures the ovum during its development in the ovaries. A zygote is the resulting cell formed when an ovum and sperm fuse during fertilization, marking the beginning of a new organism's development. Hence, understanding the role of the ovum is crucial in the context of reproduction and the lifecycle of sexually reproducing species.