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Germ cells

Synonym(s)

  • gametes
  • reproductive cells
  • sex cell

Definition(s)

The reproductive cells in multicellular organisms.

Definition from: MeSH via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

Gametes, also known as sex cells or germ cells, are the cells that come together during fertilization or conception in organisms that reproduce sexually. Their genetic complement consists of a single set of unpaired chromosomes. (from Wikipedia)

Definition from: NCI Thesaurus via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

Mature male or female reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) with a haploid set of chromosomes (23 for humans).

Definition from: Human Genome Project InformationThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the U.S. Department of Energy

A reproductive cell of the body. Germ cells are egg cells in females and sperm cells in males.

Definition from:  National Cancer Institute dictionaryThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference.

Related discussion in the Handbook

See also Understanding Medical Terminology.

 
Published: May 20, 2013