Here's a breakdown:
* Gametes: These are specialized reproductive cells (sperm in males and egg in females) that contain half the number of chromosomes found in other body cells.
* Chromosomes: These are thread-like structures that carry genetic information in the form of DNA.
* Fertilization: The process of a sperm and an egg combining to form a zygote, which is the first cell of a new human life.
During fertilization, the sperm and egg each contribute 23 chromosomes, resulting in a zygote with 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), half from the mother and half from the father. This combination of genetic material from both parents is what determines the unique characteristics of the offspring.
