germ cell

/ˌdʒʌrm ˈsɛl/

Other forms: germ cells

Definitions of germ cell

1. noun

   a spermatozoon or an ovum; a cell responsible for transmitting DNA to the next generation
   synonyms: reproductive cell, sex cell

   types:

   gamete

   a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes

   anisogamete

   either of a pair of unlike gametes especially those unlike in size

   isogamete

   either of a pair of conjugating gametes of the same size and structure

   sperm, sperm cell, spermatozoan, spermatozoon

   the male reproductive cell; the male gamete

   egg cell, ovum

   the female reproductive cell; the female gamete

   spermatid

   an immature gamete produced by a spermatocyte; develops into a spermatozoon

   oosphere

   a gamete; used especially of lower plants

   antherozoid, spermatozoid

   a motile male gamete of a plant such as an alga or fern or gymnosperm

   type of:

   cell

   (biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; they may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals