germ cell

noun

Definition of germ cell

: a gamete (such as an egg or sperm cell) or one of its antecedent cells

Examples of germ cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gantz and his thesis adviser, Ethan Bier, a professor of cell and developmental biology at U.C. San Diego, decided to try putting the Crispr editing machinery into a germ cell, along with the gene it was originally tied to. — Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, "The Gene Drive Dilemma: We Can Alter Entire Species, but Should We?," 8 Jan. 2020 The exception is if the altered DNA is put into a germ cell: the cells that turn into sperm and eggs. — Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, "The Gene Drive Dilemma: We Can Alter Entire Species, but Should We?," 8 Jan. 2020 He was re-diagnosed with another germ cell tumor after visiting the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, a description on the page read. — Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, "11-Year-Old Wisconsin Boy Dies During Make-a-Wish Trip to Lego Store at Mall of America," 7 Jan. 2020 This happens under conditions in which both genes have an equal chance (50 percent) of going into the germ cells, as is true for the vast majority of genes — this is like the twins’ both getting half of the cake. — Quanta Magazine, "How to Triumph and Cooperate in Game Theory and Evolution," 9 Nov. 2017 Infections, toxins or just old age can affect germ cells and produce offspring that are less healthy in various ways. — Quanta Magazine, "Can Darwinian Evolution Explain Lamarckism?," 11 May 2017 Any mutations occurring in the dividing cells of a stem will be locked into the germ cells and can pass on to the next generation. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Meet the monkeyflower, a weed that may hold the key to zebra stripes and other biological mysteries," 29 Aug. 2019 But flowers, which contain both kinds of germ cells—pollen and ova—form from active somatic tissue at the tips of growing stems. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Meet the monkeyflower, a weed that may hold the key to zebra stripes and other biological mysteries," 29 Aug. 2019 Early during an embryo’s development, the germ cells — which are basically the cellular grandparents or great grandparents of sperm — travel to the nascent gonads. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Transplanted testicles will always make the donor’s sperm," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'germ cell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about germ cell

Dictionary Entries near germ cell

Statistics for germ cell

Cite this Entry

“Germ cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germ%20cell. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for germ cell

germ cell

noun

Kids Definition of germ cell

: a cell (as an egg or sperm cell) that contributes to the formation of a new individual

germ cell

noun

Medical Definition of germ cell

: an egg or sperm cell or one of their antecedent cells

Comments on germ cell

What made you want to look up germ cell? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

abhor

Listen to the pronunciation of abhor

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

What is a ruelle?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ