Maletsky S.I., Yudanova S.S.

Germ track and stem cells in higher plants

Cytology and Genetics 2007, v 41, number 5, 67-80

The Weisman`s conception of germ track is considered in historical context focusing on fundamental differences among germ tracks in animals and plants. Differentiation of animal germ track cells occurrs once whereas in plant ontogenesis this process is multiply realizing (a concept of recurrent embriony). Fundamental differences in morphogenesis and embryogenesis of animals and plants as well as the differences in the properties of somatic and stem cells provide plants with special and additional modes of variability and evolution which are absent in animals.