What type of chromosome number do both eggs and sperm contain?

Eggs and sperm are both gametes produced through a type of cell division known meiosis. This process reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in gametes that contain only one set of chromosomes. In humans, this means that each gamete, whether it be an egg or a sperm, carries 23 chromosomes, which is half of the typical diploid number of 46 found in most somatic (body) cells. Consequently, both eggs and sperm are considered haploid, as they have a single set of chromosomes and are essential for sexual reproduction. When an egg and sperm combine during fertilization, they restore the diploid number in the resulting zygote, leading to the development of a new organism.

In contrast, diploid cells contain two sets of chromosomes, triploid cells have three sets, and polyploid cells have more than two sets. Hence, haploid is the correct answer in this context, as it accurately describes the chromosome number in both eggs and sperm.