Final answer:
An animal capable of producing both types of reproductive cells, eggs and sperm, is termed a hermaphrodite, and this strategy occurs in various species as one of the methods of reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
An animal that can produce both eggs and sperm is known as a hermaphrodite. Hermaphrodites possess both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to produce both types of gametes. In the animal kingdom, hermaphroditism is one reproductive strategy among many. Animals often have specialized organs, called gonads, for producing gametes: testes in males to produce sperm and ovaries in females to produce eggs. These gametes are produced via a type of cell division known as meiosis, which results in haploid cells with half the genetic material of diploid body cells.
During sexual reproduction, the male and female gametes merge in a process called fertilization, leading to the formation of a zygote. This zygote will then develop into a new organism. Hermaphroditic animals can be contrasted with those exhibiting sexual dimorphism, where individuals distinctly fit into male or female categories with separate reproductive systems.