germ-plasm
91blastogenesis — n. [Gr. blastos, bud; genesis, beginning] 1. Development by asexual reproduction, or of an organ or part from a blastema. 2. The transmission of inherited characters by germ plasm; see embryogenesis …
92idioplasm — n. [Gr. idios, personal; plasma, formed or molded] All of the hereditary determinants of an organism, both nuclear and cytoplasmic; germ plasm; idiotype; see genotype …
93Neo-Darwinism — 1. The theory of evolution stressing the continuity of germ plasm and non transmission of acquired characters (Weismannism). 2. Any evolutionary theory featuring natural selection …
94blastogenesis — /blas teuh jen euh sis/, n. Biol. 1. reproduction by budding. 2. the theory of the transmission of hereditary characters by germ plasm. [1885 90; BLASTO + GENESIS] * * * …
95determinant — /di terr meuh neuhnt/, n. 1. a determining agent or factor. 2. Math. an algebraic expression of the sum of products of elements, each with an appropriate algebraic sign, usually written in a square array and used in the solution of systems of… …
96environment — environmental, adj. environmentally, adv. /en vuy reuhn meuhnt, vuy euhrn /, n. 1. the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences; surroundings; milieu. 2. Ecol. the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors… …
97neo-Darwinism — neo Darwinian, adj., n. neo Darwinist, n. /nee oh dahr wi niz euhm/, n. Biol. 1. the theory of evolution as expounded by later students of Charles Darwin, esp. Weismann, holding that natural selection accounts for evolution and denying the… …
98Weismannism — Weismannian, adj., n. /vuys mahn iz euhm/, n. Biol. the theories of heredity as expounded by Weismann, esp. the theory that all inheritable characteristics are carried in the germ plasm, and that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited.… …
99reproductive behaviour — In animals, any activity directed toward perpetuation of a species. Sexual reproduction, the most common mode, occurs when a female s egg is fertilized by a male s sperm. The resulting unique combination of genes produces genetic variety that… …
100Euphenics — Literally meaning normal appearing, euphenics aims to improve the outcome of a genetic disease by altering the environment. An illustration: children born with the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) can avoid the expression of their disease by …
