What is the scientific term for the female gamete?

The scientific term for the female gamete is ovum. In the context of human reproduction, gametes are the reproductive cells that combine during fertilization. The female gamete, or ovum, is produced in the ovaries and is essential for sexual reproduction as it carries the genetic material from the female parent. When a sperm, the male gamete, fertilizes an ovum, it results in the formation of a zygote, which eventually develops into an embryo.

In contrast, sperm are the male gametes, while an embryo refers to the early developmental stage that follows fertilization. A fetus is a later stage of development after the embryonic stage, where significant growth and organ development occur. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the study of human reproduction and developmental biology.