<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> A germ cell is any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism that reproduces sexually . In many animals, the germ cells originate in the primitive streak and migrate via the gut of an embryo to the developing gonads . There, they undergo meiosis, followed by cellular differentiation into mature gametes, either eggs or sperm . Unlike animals, plants do not have germ cells designated in early development . Instead, germ cells can arise from somatic cells in the adult (such as the floral meristem of flowering plants). </P> <P> Multicellular eukaryotes are made of two fundamental cell types . Germ cells produce gametes and are the only cells that can undergo meiosis as well as mitosis . These cells are sometimes said to be immortal because they are the link between generations . Somatic cells are all the other cells that form the building blocks of the body and they only divide by mitosis . The lineage of germ cells is called germ line . Germ cell specification begins during cleavage in many animals or in the epiblast during gastrulation in birds and mammals . After transport, involving passive movements and active migration, germ cells arrive at the developing gonads . In humans, sexual differentiation starts approximately 6 weeks after conception . The end - products of the germ cell cycle are the egg or sperm . </P>

Where does meiosis take place in humans and all other vertebrates