Weismann barrier

noun

The strict distinction between the "immortal" germ cell lineages producing gametes and "disposable" somatic cells in animals (but not plants), in contrast to Charles Darwin's proposed pangenesis mechanism for inheritance.

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Meanings

nounWeismann barrier (plural Weismann barriers)

plural Weismann barriers

  1. The strict distinction between the "immortal" germ cell lineages producing gametes and "disposable" somatic cells in animals (but not plants), in contrast to Charles Darwin's proposed pangenesis mechanism for inheritance.

Origin

After August Weismann.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Weismann barrier. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Weismann%20barrier

MLA

“Weismann barrier.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Weismann%20barrier. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Weismann barrier,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Weismann%20barrier.

Source: Weismann barrier on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.