An immature female gamete is termed:

• A. A zygote
• B. An oocyte
• C. An embryo
• D. An ovum

Answer: (B)

An immature female gamete is referred to as an oocyte. This term specifically designates the female gamete at various stages of development before it reaches maturity. Oocytes are found in the ovaries and undergo several stages of maturation, transitioning from primordial follicles to primary, secondary, and eventually mature follicles.

In contrast, a zygote, which occurs when a sperm fertilizes an oocyte, represents the initial cell formed when two gametes unite. An ovum is the term used for the mature egg, ready for fertilization, while an embryo refers to the developing organism after the zygote stage, typically following the process of implantation in the uterus. Understanding these definitions helps clarify the various stages of female reproductive cell development and the terminology associated with them.