What type of cells do eggs and sperm represent?

Eggs and sperm are classified as haploid cells because they contain only one set of chromosomes. In humans and many other organisms, somatic cells, which are all the other body cells except for the reproductive cells, are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes. The process of meiosis produces haploid gametes, which are key to sexual reproduction because they ensure that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will have the proper diploid number of chromosomes.

In contrast, diploid cells have two complete sets of chromosomes (one from each parent), while polyploid cells have more than two sets. Since eggs and sperm are specifically designed for reproduction, they must be haploid to successfully combine during fertilization and restore the diploid state in the offspring. This fundamental distinction is critical for understanding genetics and reproductive biology.