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Female ova, also known as egg cells, are the female gametes responsible for sexual reproduction in humans and other animals. These cells are haploid, meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes (n) compared to a normal body cell. In humans, this means an ova has 23 chromosomes, whereas body cells (somatic cells) are diploid and contain 46 chromosomes.

The haploid nature of ova is essential for reproduction. During fertilization, a haploid ovum fuses with a haploid sperm cell, which also contains 23 chromosomes. This fusion restores the diploid number of 46 chromosomes in the resulting zygote, ensuring that the offspring inherits genetic material from both parents. This process maintains chromosome stability across generations.

Haploid cells like ova are produced through meiosis, a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half. Meiosis involves two consecutive divisions — meiosis I and meiosis II — resulting in gametes that are genetically unique. This genetic variation is crucial for evolution and adaptation in populations.

It is important to note that ova are different from diploid cells, which contain a full set of chromosomes, and triploid cells, which are rare and typically abnormal. Haploid cells are specifically adapted for sexual reproduction and ensure that when combined with sperm, the correct number of chromosomes is maintained.

In summary, female ova are haploid cells that carry half the genetic material of a typical body cell. They play a vital role in reproduction by combining with male sperm during fertilization to form a diploid zygote, ensuring genetic continuity and variation in offspring. Understanding haploid cells is fundamental in cell biology, genetics, and human reproduction