What type of specialized cell is used in sexual reproduction and contains half the normal number of chromosomes?

The specialized cell used in sexual reproduction that contains half the normal number of chromosomes is known as a gamete. Gametes are essential for sexual reproduction as they fuse during fertilization to form a zygote, which then develops into a new organism. In humans and most organisms, gametes refer specifically to sperm and egg cells, each carrying only 23 chromosomes, which is half the diploid number of chromosomes (46 in humans).

This halving of chromosome number occurs through a type of cell division called meiosis, where a diploid germ cell divides to produce four non-identical haploid gametes. Each gamete's unique genetic material contributes to genetic diversity in the offspring, which is a key advantage of sexual reproduction.

Other types of cells, such as somatic cells, are not involved in reproduction and maintain the full diploid number of chromosomes. Diploid cells signify any cell with pairs of chromosomes (such as somatic cells) instead of the haploid status required for gametes. A fertilized egg, or zygote, represents the initial cell formed when two gametes fuse, reinstating the diploid number of chromosomes but is not itself a gamete. Thus, gametes play a vital role in sexual reproduction by ensuring