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Germline
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== Evolution == Plants and basal metazoans such as sponges (Porifera) and corals (Anthozoa) do not sequester a distinct germline, generating gametes from multipotent stem cell lineages that also give rise to ordinary somatic tissues. It is therefore likely that germline sequestration first evolved in complex animals with sophisticated body plans, i.e. bilaterians. There are several theories on the origin of the strict germline-soma distinction. Setting aside an isolated germ cell population early in embryogenesis might promote cooperation between the somatic cells of a complex multicellular organism.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Buss|first1=L W|date=1983-03-01|title=Evolution, development, and the units of selection.|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|volume=80|issue=5|pages=1387β1391|issn=0027-8424|pmc=393602|pmid=6572396|doi=10.1073/pnas.80.5.1387|bibcode=1983PNAS...80.1387B|doi-access=free}}</ref> Another recent theory suggests that early germline sequestration evolved to limit the accumulation of deleterious mutations in mitochondrial genes in complex organisms with high energy requirements and fast mitochondrial mutation rates.<ref name=":0" />
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