Germ cells
Germ cells
Germ cells (/dʒɜːrm sɛlz/), also known as gametes, are the cells in an organism that are primed to undergo sexual reproduction.
Etymology
The term "germ cell" is derived from the Latin word 'germen', meaning 'sprout', and the Greek word 'kytos', meaning 'container'. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the cells that give rise to offspring.
Definition
Germ cells are the reproductive cells in an organism that can give rise to a new organism. In humans, there are two types of germ cells: spermatozoa in males and oocytes in females. These cells are produced through a process called meiosis, which results in cells with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
Function
The primary function of germ cells is to pass on genetic information from one generation to the next. They do this by combining with a germ cell from another individual during fertilization. The resulting cell, called a zygote, contains a complete set of chromosomes and has the potential to develop into a new organism.
Related Terms
- Gametogenesis: The process by which germ cells are produced.
- Meiosis: A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
- Spermatozoa: The male germ cells.
- Oocytes: The female germ cells.
- Zygote: The cell resulting from the fusion of two germ cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Germ cells
- Wikipedia's article - Germ cells
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