Germplasm theory was proposed by ___________. (MP RAEO 2021 Shift 1)

KeyPoints 1. Proposer: The Germplasm Theory was proposed by August Weismann, a German biologist, in the late 19th century.
2. Two Cell Types: This theory states that organisms are made of germ cells, which are involved in reproduction and carry hereditary information, and somatic cells, which form the rest of the body.
3. Inheritance: According to the Germplasm Theory, only germ cells contribute genetic information to offspring, hence changes in somatic cells do not affect the traits of the next generation.
4. Contradicts Lamarck's Theory: Weismann's theory contradicts Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics, providing empirical evidence against it through experiments.
5. Impact on Biology: The Germplasm Theory influenced modern genetics and evolutionary biology, emphasizing genes' role in inheritance and forming the basis for the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory.