Gamete production and fertilisationGamete production in the ovaries
Gametes are reproductive cells. Male gametes are called sperm. Female gametes are called ova. Fertilisation takes place in the oviduct when the nucleus of a sperm fuses with the nucleus of an ovum. These two haploid cells produce a diploid zygote.
The female gamete is called an ovum or egg. The plural is ova.
Ova are produced from germline cells in the ovaries. Ovaries contain immature ova at various stages of development.
Each ova is protected by a follicle. This is a fluid-filled sac which surrounds it and releases hormones.
Each ovary is connected to the uterus by an oviduct (fallopian tube).
The oviduct is lined with ciliated cells. Every month, an ovum (egg) develops and becomes mature, and is released from an ovary. The cilia waft the ovum along inside the oviduct and into the uterus.