What term refers to the reproductive cells in an organism?

The term that accurately refers to the reproductive cells in an organism is gametes. Gametes are specialized cells that are crucial for sexual reproduction, as they carry half the genetic information required to form a new organism. In humans, the male gamete is the sperm cell, while the female gamete is the egg cell.

While "sex cells" can be considered synonymous with gametes in colloquial usage, the more precise scientific term is "gametes," which clearly indicates their role and function in reproduction. Somatic cells, on the other hand, refer to all the other cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction. Stem cells are unique because they can differentiate into various cell types, but they are not specifically designated reproductive cells. Thus, while "sex cells" may be considered an acceptable answer, the term "gametes" is the most accurate in scientific literature.