Final answer:
Eggs and sperm, collectively known as gametes, are produced by a type of cell division called meiosis, which is part of the broader process of gametogenesis. Spermatogenesis refers to the production of sperm, and oogenesis refers to the production of eggs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gametes, which include eggs and sperm, are made by a special type of cell division called meiosis. During meiosis, paired chromosomes are separated in two nuclear divisions to produce haploid cells with only one of each pair of chromosomes, as opposed to diploid cells which have two of each. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for sexual reproduction, allowing for the production of gametes that can combine to form a zygote with the correct number of chromosomes. The process of forming mature gametes from these haploid cells is known as gametogenesis. Specifically, the production of sperm is termed spermatogenesis, and the production of eggs is called oogenesis. While spermatogenesis results in four motile sperm from each original cell, oogenesis typically results in one large egg from the same original number of haploid cells.