germ line

Inherited material that comes from the eggs or sperm and is passed on to offspring. See also cell, inherited

The continuation of a set of genetic information from one generation to the next. See also: inherit

A lineage of cells which, during the development of an organism, are set aside as potential gamete-forming tissues. The location, nature and time of formation of potential gamete-forming tissues are species specific, and may vary greatly from one species to another. See: somatic