GERMINAL CELL Meaning and
Definition
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Germinal cell refers to a type of cell that is involved in the early stages of development and reproduction. These cells are found in both plants and animals, and their primary function is to give rise to other cells or organisms.
In animals, germinal cells are commonly known as germ cells. They are responsible for producing gametes, which are specialized cells involved in sexual reproduction. In males, germ cells give rise to sperm cells, while in females, they develop into eggs or ova. Germinal cells are usually present in specific organs called gonads: testes in males and ovaries in females.
In plants, germinal cells are generally referred to as reproductive cells or germ cells. They give rise to structures involved in sexual reproduction, such as pollen grains and ovules. Pollen grains contain the male germ cells while ovules house the female germ cells. These reproductive cells are essential for the fertilization process, where the male germ cells fuse with the female germ cells, leading to the formation of seeds or fruits.
Overall, germinal cells play a crucial role in the perpetuation of species by giving rise to offspring. Their ability to undergo meiosis, a specialized form of cell division, ensures the production of genetically diverse gametes, promoting genetic variation within populations.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GERMINAL CELL
- ferminal cell
- verminal cell
- berminal cell
- herminal cell
- yerminal cell
- terminal cell
- gwrminal cell
- gsrminal cell
- gdrminal cell
- grrminal cell
- g4rminal cell
- g3rminal cell
- geeminal cell
- gedminal cell
- gefminal cell
- getminal cell
- ge5minal cell
- ge4minal cell
- gerninal cell
- gerkinal cell
Etymology of GERMINAL CELL
The term "germinal cell" is derived from two different sources:
1. Germinal: The word "germinal" originates from the Latin word "germen", meaning "sprout" or "seed". In French, "germine" refers to a bud or a sprout. The term "germinal" is used to indicate something related to reproduction, growth, or the initial stages of development.
2. Cell: The term "cell" comes from the Latin word "cella", meaning "small room" or "cell". It was later adopted in English to describe the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.
When combined, "germinal cell" refers to a cell involved in reproduction or development, specifically the cells that give rise to gametes (sperm or eggs). These cells are responsible for passing genetic material from one generation to the next.
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