germline.

The cell lineage that gives rise to gametes and carries genetic information capable of passing to offspring.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a germline mutation
• germline cells

On the page

The mutation occurred in the germline rather than only in the sampled skin cells.

They discussed germline changes separately from the treatment’s effects on the patient’s other tissues.

Usage notes

Primary category: sci-fi. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.