What kind of cells are sperm and egg classified as?

Sperm and egg cells are classified as gametes, which are specialized reproductive cells involved in sexual reproduction. Gametes are unique in that they contain half the number of chromosomes compared to somatic cells (which include all other body cells). In humans, for instance, somatic cells are diploid, containing a full set of 46 chromosomes, while gametes (sperm and eggs) are haploid and contain only 23 chromosomes.

This haploid state is crucial because it ensures that when fertilization occurs—the union of a sperm and an egg—the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes. This process allows for genetic diversity through recombination during meiosis, which is the cell division process that produces gametes. Therefore, identifying sperm and egg cells as gametes highlights their essential role in reproduction and genetic variation.