Practice question

Weismann introduced germ-plasm theory distinguishing immortal lineage carrying hereditary information from mortal body-building lineage. Germ cells include primordial germ cells, spermatogonia, oogonia, specified early via BMP4 and Blimp1 signaling, migrating to gonadal ridge, undergoing meiosis to haploid gametes. Somatic cells constitute supporting tissues such as skin, muscle, neurons that die with individual. This separation explains why acquired somatic mutations are not typically inherited, while germline mutations transmit to offspring. Protecting germ cells from differentiation and maintaining pluripotency networks ensures continuity of species across generations.