What does the term homogametic refer to?

The term homogametic refers to the sex that produces one type of gamete. In biological terms, individuals that are homogametic have two identical sex chromosomes. For example, in humans, females are homogametic because they possess two X chromosomes (XX). This means that when females produce eggs, all of the eggs contain one type of sex chromosome—an X chromosome.

In contrast, males, which have an X and a Y chromosome (XY), are described as heterogametic because they produce two different types of gametes: one with an X chromosome and one with a Y chromosome. This differentiation in gamete type is what makes the term homogametic important in understanding sex determination in organisms.