Which type of cells are known as germ cells?

Germ cells specifically refer to the reproductive cells in an organism, which include egg cells (ova) in females and sperm cells in males. These cells are crucial for sexual reproduction because they carry half of the genetic information necessary to form a new individual when they unite during fertilization. Unlike somatic cells, which make up the body's tissues and organs, germ cells undergo a special process called meiosis to produce gametes, which are haploid cells (having one set of chromosomes) as opposed to diploid somatic cells.

This distinction is foundational in understanding human reproduction, genetics, and the overall processes of life cycles, making germ cells unique in their role compared to other types of cells in the body.