germ cells

Germ cells are specialized reproductive cells in the body that develop into sperm in males and eggs in females. They are unique because they carry half the usual number of chromosomes—this allows them to combine during fertilization, creating a new organism with a full set of genetic material. Germ cells are formed early in development and undergo a process called meiosis, which ensures genetic diversity. They are essential for reproduction and are distinct from other body cells, which have a complete set of chromosomes. Proper functioning of germ cells is vital for passing genetic information from one generation to the next.