Immortality of the germ line MedvedevMedvedev ZA. On the immortality of the germ line: genetic and biochemical mechanism. Areview. Mech Ageing Dev. 1981 Dec;17(4):331-59. doi: 10.1016/0047-6374(81)90052-x. PMID: 6173551 considered that the accuracy of genome replicative and other synthetic systems alone cannot explain the immortality of germ lines. Rather he thought that known established features of the biochemistry and genetics of sexual reproduction clearly indicate the presence of unique information maintenance and restoration processes at the different stages of gametogenesis. In particular, he considered that the most important opportunities for information maintenance of germ cells are created by meiotic recombination and repair---unique processes that are capable of restoring the integrity of DNA and chromosomes from the types of lesions and alterations that are irreversible in somatic cells.
Immortality of the germ line Zhores A. Medvedev considered that the accuracy of genome replicative and other synthetic systems alone cannot explain the immortality of germ lines. Rather he thought that known established features of the biochemistry and genetics of sexual reproduction clearly indicate the presence of unique information maintenance and restoration processes at the different stages of gametogenesis. In particular, he considered that the most important opportunities for information maintenance of germ cells are created by meiotic recombination and repair---unique processes that are capable of restoring the integrity of DNA and chromosomes from the types of lesions and alterations that are irreversible in somatic cells.
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MedvedevMedvedev ZA. On the immortality of the germ line: genetic and biochemical mechanism. Areview. Mech Ageing Dev. 1981 Dec;17(4):331-59. doi: 10.1016/0047-6374(81)90052-x. PMID: 6173551
Zhores A. Medvedev