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Terms for Chapter 6
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Somatic Cell | Cell that makes up all of the body tissues and organs, except gametes |
| Gamete | Sex cell; an egg or sperm cell |
| Homologous Chromosomes | Chromosomes that have the same length, appearance, and copies of genes, although the alleles may differ |
| Autosome | Chromosome that contains genes for characteristics not directly related to the sex of the organism |
| Sex Chromosome | Chromosome that directly controls the development of sexual characteristics |
| Sexual Reproduction | Process by which two gametes fuse and offspring that are a genetic mixture of both parents are produced |
| Fertilization | Fusion of an egg and a sperm cell |
| Diploid | Cell that has two copies of each chromosome, one from an egg and one from a sperm |
| Haploid | Cell that only has one copy of each chromosome |
| Meiosis | Form of nuclear division that divides a diploid cell into haploid cells; important in forming gametes |
| Gametogenesis | Process by which gametes are produced through the combination of meiosis and other maturational changes |
| Sperm | Male Gamete |
| Egg | Female gamete |
| Polar Body | Haploid cell produced during meiosis in the female of many species; these cells have little more than DNA and eventually disintegrate |