germ cell

American  

noun

Biology.

1. the sexual reproductive cell at any stage from the primordial cell to the mature gamete.

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germ cell British  

noun

1. a sexual reproductive cell; gamete Compare somatic cell

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germ cell Scientific  

1. One of the diploid cells in the reproductive organs of a multicellular organism that undergo division and are the precursors of haploid gametes, such as a spermatogonium or oogonium.

2. See gamete

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Etymology

Origin of germ cell

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

These epigenetic changes impact crucial genes involved in hormone signaling and germ cell development, as well as regulation of the epigenetic landscape, suggesting that environmental exposure can have lasting and hereditary effects on gene regulation.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

Hess announced last October after experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath that a cancerous germ cell tumor was found sitting in the center of his chest, pressing against his heart and lungs.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 7, 2022

For these two stressors, samples were collected 30 min after exposure, corresponding to an ‘early response test’ showing suppression of germ cell production is not immediate.

From Nature • Mar. 15, 2014

As with sperm production, oogenesis starts with a germ cell.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

It is by no means impossible that sometimes the germ cell may develop into a spore without being fertilized, as is the case in many of the water moulds.

From Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany For High Schools and Elementary College Courses by Campbell, Douglas Houghton