Germ line
Germ line
The Germ line (pronounced: /dʒɜːrm laɪn/) is a series of cells that are set aside from somatic cells during the development of the organism. These cells are the only ones that can pass on their genetic material to the offspring.
Etymology
The term "germ line" comes from the German word "Keimbahn", which was first used in the late 19th century. The word "germ" in this context refers to the initial stage of development, while "line" refers to the lineage or sequence of cells that lead to the formation of gametes.
Related Terms
- Gametes: These are the mature sexual reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that combine to form a new organism. They are produced by the germ line cells.
- Somatic cells: These are all the non-reproductive cells in the body. They are genetically identical to the germ line cells, but cannot pass on their genetic material to the offspring.
- Meiosis: This is the process by which germ line cells divide to produce gametes. It involves two rounds of cell division and results in four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.
- Mitosis: This is the process by which somatic cells divide. It results in two daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Germ line
- Wikipedia's article - Germ line
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