germline
Heritable cell line
Germline refers to the lineage of cells that pass genetic information to offspring—eggs and sperm in animals, pollen and ovules in plants.
In genetics and biotechnology, germline modifications are heritable changes to DNA that will be transmitted to future generations, distinguishing them from somatic changes that affect only one individual: germline editing, germline mutations.
The term often appears in bioethics debates about genetic engineering.
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
meiosis · gametes · zygote · haploid · diploid · genotype · recombination · nucleotide
Genetic trait transmission
- dominantHaving superior influence
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- sex-linkedCarried on chromosomes determining gender
- MendelianPertaining to inheritance laws
monogenic · polygenic · pedigree · fertilization · offspring · transmission · carrier · trait
Permanent DNA alteration
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
gene flow · phylogeny · common ancestor · fitness · reproductive success · selection pressure · variation · heritability
Family line of descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- descendantsThose who come after
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
- pedigreeRecord of descent
dynasty · genealogy · parentage · forebears · generation · continuity · legacy
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- allelesVariant forms of genes
mutation · meiosis · gametes · zygote · haploid · diploid · genotype · recombination · nucleotide · genomics
heredity
Genetic trait transmission
- dominantHaving superior influence
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- sex-linkedCarried on chromosomes determining gender
Mendelian · monogenic · polygenic · pedigree · fertilization · offspring · transmission · carrier · trait · phenotype
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
genetic drift · gene flow · phylogeny · common ancestor · fitness · reproductive success · selection pressure · variation · heritability · evolutionary biology
ancestry
Family line of descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- descendantsThose who come after
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
pedigree · dynasty · genealogy · parentage · forebears · generation · continuity · legacy