Germ Cell

Germ Cell the term 'germ' has derived from the Latin word 'germen' which means seed or sprout. The central component of animal reproduction is the germ cell.. These cells are responsible for making connectivity between generations by passing down the information from one generation to another. Nussbaum-Weismann first provided the concept of germ cells. These cells serve as the means by which the genome and cytoplasmic components are passed to the progeny, mostly through the germ cell-specific processes of meiosis and gametogenesis. These cells differentiate into male and female gametes (sperm and unfertilized egg that unite to form an embryo) and produce a haploid set of chromosomes through meiosis. Haploid cells then combine to make diploid cells called zygote, giving rise to a new individual that creates the genetic diversity required for evolution. The genetic components of germ cells, ie, germline DNA are used to correct deleterious gene variants to avoid the transfer of disease-causing information to the offspring through a widely discussed process called gene therapy. However, ethical issues are a major concern in using germline DNA for gene therapy. [AHM Nurun Nabi]