Question

Write a short note on Weismann’s theory of germplasm.

Answer 1

Hint:Germplasm are living genetic resources such as seeds or tissues that are maintained for the purpose of animals and plant breeding.

Complete answer:
In 1883 the great German biologist August Weismann proposed the germ plasm theory of hereditary. The Germ Plasm theory states that an organism cells are divided into somatic cells, the cells that make up the body and the germ cells, the cells that produce the gametes.

The somatoplasm was not able to enter the sex cells. Consequently, the variations present in the somatoplasm will not be transmitted to the next generation.

It is now known that chromosomes are the main carrier of hereditary characters. This idea was put forward in the form of chromosome theory of inheritance. His great insight was to see that the two do not exchange information variation must be produced in the germ cell.

The Weismann Family rejected the idea of heritability of acquired characteristics which was Central to the neon Lamarckian evolutionary theory popular in the late 1800s. At this time natural selection was very unpopular and Weisman was one of the few supporters and probably the keenest, of Darwin theory of natural selection. It is a nice twist therefore, that Weisman’s germ plasm theory dealt a death nail to one of Darwin's other big ideas.

Note:The germ plasm on the other hand was made for the reproductive purpose only so that any changes occurring in the germ plasm will influence the progeny.