any of the "reproductive" (generative) cells in multicellular organisms, as distinct from somatic cells. They are ultimately either gametes or agametes and arise from primordial germ cells of gonocytes. The term covers both the ancestral forms and their ultimate differentiation products.
Idurakud eristuvad juba väga varases embrüonaaleas, nad tekivad rebukotis. Sealt migreeruvad nad genitaalkurdu (genital ridge), see on koht, kuhu arengu jooksul tekib gonaad e. sugunääre. Seal paljunevad nad mitootiliselt ning teatud arenguetapil alustavad meioosi.
Whereas germ cell mutagens are substances that can cause a permanent change in the amount or structure of the genetic material of a cell resulting in a change in the phenotypic characteristics of that cell, which may be transferred to descendent daughter cells.
