Germ cell

A cell in a multicellular organism’s reproductive lineage that gives rise to gametes and transmits genetic material to offspring.

Germline: The lineage of cells that produces gametes and transmits inherited genetic information across generations. Germ cells belong to this lineage, which distinguishes them from cells limited to the body.
Somatic cell: Any cell of a multicellular organism that is not part of its reproductive lineage. Somatic cells generally do not pass their DNA directly to offspring.
Infertility: The inability to achieve pregnancy after a period of regular unprotected intercourse, or an impaired capacity to reproduce. Defects in germ-cell development or function can impair fertility.
Heredity: The transmission of biological traits from parents to offspring through genetic and other mechanisms. Germ cells carry genetic material that contributes directly to inherited traits.
Germline mutation: A DNA-sequence change in a reproductive cell lineage that can be inherited by descendants. Unlike a germ cell itself, this is a heritable alteration that may arise within the lineage.
Gametogenesis: The processes through which germ cells develop into mature reproductive cells. It describes the developmental route from germ cell to gamete.
Fertilization: The union of gametes that forms a zygote and combines parental genetic material. It completes the transmission begun by germ cells producing gametes.
Spermatogenesis: The production of sperm from precursor germ cells in the testes. It is the male pathway by which germ cells become sperm.
Genetic recombination: The exchange or rearrangement of genetic material that creates new combinations of alleles. Recombination during germ-cell meiosis generates inherited variation.
Somatic mutation: A DNA-sequence change acquired in a nonreproductive cell, usually absent from offspring. It contrasts with mutations in germ cells because it is generally not inherited.

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