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germ layer

American  

noun

  1. one of the three primary embryonic cell layers.


germ layer British  

noun

  1. embryol any of the three layers of cells formed during gastrulation See ectoderm mesoderm endoderm

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

germ layer Scientific  
  1. Any of three cellular layers, the ectoderm, endoderm, or mesoderm, into which most animal embryos differentiate in the gastrula stage and from which the organs and tissues of the body develop through further differentiation.


Etymology

Origin of germ layer

First recorded in 1875–80


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For instance, the work called into question whether sharing a germ layer would always ease direct reprogramming between cell types.

From Nature ● Feb. 23, 2020

It was assumed that cells could be converted only to other cell types from the same germ layer, owing to their closely related developmental origins.

From Nature ● Feb. 23, 2020

A true coelom arises entirely within the mesoderm germ layer and is lined by an epithelial membrane.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Cells in each germ layer differentiate into tissues and embryonic organs.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

Epiblast: the outer germ layer of the embryo.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by John. B. Smith

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