gemmule

American  

[jem-yool] / ˈdʒɛm jul /

noun

1. Botany. gemma.

2. Zoology. an asexually produced mass of cells that is capable of developing into an animal, as a freshwater sponge.

3. Evolution. one of the hypothetical living units conceived by Darwin in the theory of pangenesis as the bearers of the hereditary attributes.

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gemmule British  

/ ˈdʒɛmjuːl /

noun

1. zoology a cell or mass of cells produced asexually by sponges and developing into a new individual; bud

2. botany a small gemma

3. a small hereditary particle postulated by Darwin in his theory of pangenesis

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gemmule Scientific  

/ jĕm′yo̅o̅l /

1. A small gemma or similar structure, especially a reproductive structure in some sponges that remains dormant through the winter and later develops into a new individual.

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Etymology

Origin of gemmule

1835–45; < French < Latin gemmula. See gemma, -ule

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gemmule

In 1883, with rather grim determination, the German embryologist August Weismann had performed an experiment that directly attacked Darwin's gemmule theory of heredity.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A. Microscleres of the parenchyma similar in general structure to those or the gemmule; the latter without comb-like vertical rows of spines at the ends Spongilla, p.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

What wonder then that such an excessively complex body should divide and multiply; and what parity is there between such a body and a gemmule?

From On the Genesis of Species by St. George Mivart

The period for which the gemmule lies dormant probably depends to some extent upon environment and to some extent on the species to which it belongs.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

Internally the gemmule consists of a mass of cells containing food-material in what may be called a tabloid form, for it consists of minutely granular plate-like bodies.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale