Ovum

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An Ovum (Latin: "egg". The plural is Ova.) is the name for the haploid female reproductive cell.

Haploid reproductive cells are also called gametes. If the cell is still young (and developing) the term ovule is commonly used. In some plants, like algae this type of cell is called oosphere.

When the ovum is fertilised by a male's sperm, it becomes a zygote, which develops into a new organism.

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