germ-plasm

Noun

germ plasm (uncountable)

1. (dated, historical) The cytoplasm of germ cells.
   • If heredity depends on the presence of a substance, the germ-plasm, which causes the production of the new individual by directing the process of division in ontogeny, in the course of which it becomes changed in a regular manner, the question arises as to how unaltered germ-plasm can nevertheless...1893, August Weismann, translated by W. Newton Parker and Harriet Rönnfeldt, The Germ-plasm: A Theory of Heredity, Charles Scribner's Sons, page 183

   Synonyms:

   pole plasm

2. Germplasm; seeds or tissues maintained for the purpose of animal or plant breeding, preservation or other research uses.
   • Although the IRRI has taken on the global responsibility of conserving rice germ plasm, we find it necessary to enlist the collaboration of other international and national organizations in achieving the goals.1976, Te-Tzu Chang, Manual on Genetic Conservation of Rice Germ Plasm for Evaluation and Utilization, International Rice Research Institute, page 56