Germ cell — definition (Food Biotechnology)

Food Biotechnology

Reproductive cell. See Somatic cell.

Susan Allender-Hagedorn and Charles Hagedorn — An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary

A member of a cell lineage (the germ line ) leading to the production of gametes. In mammals, germ cells are found in the germinal epithelium of the ovaries and testes. Synonym: germ line cell. Opposite: somatic cell.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization — Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture

Science› Biotechnology and Genetics

Human Genome

Sperm and egg cells and their precursors. Germ cells are haploid and have only one set of chromosomes (23 in all), while all other cells have two copies (46 in all).

Human Genome Project — Human Genome Project

Science› Biotechnology and Genetics

Stem Cell

A sperm or egg, or a cell that can become a sperm or egg. All other body cells are called somatic cells.

DHHS — Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future Research Directions