The cells that produce male and female sex cells via meiosis are called gametes.

Here's a breakdown:

* Male gametes: These are called sperm cells and are produced in the testes of males.

* Female gametes: These are called egg cells or ova and are produced in the ovaries of females.

Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half. This is essential for sexual reproduction because it ensures that the offspring inherit half of their chromosomes from the mother and half from the father.