For both these cases the germ-plasm theory will suffice, with a
somewhat modified form of the same assumption which we made in regard
to the formation of germ-cells. The origin of a new individual by
budding seems often, indeed, to proceed from any set of somatic cells
in the mother animal; but somatic cells, if they contain solely the
determinants controlling themselves, cannot possibly give rise to a
complete new individual, since this presupposes the presence of _all_
the determinants of the species. But as these determinants cannot be
formed _de novo_, the budding cells must contain in addition to the
usual controlling somatic determinants, idioplasm in a latent, inactive
state, which only becomes active under certain internal or external
influences, and then gives rise to the formation of a bud. The source
of this accessory idioplasm must, however, be looked for only in the
egg-cell.
In plants this bud-idioplasm must be complete germ-plasm, because
the budding starts only from one kind of cell, the cambium-cells;
but in animals in which--as it seems--it always proceeds from at
least two different kinds of cells--those of the ectoderm and those
of the endoderm--the matter is more complex. In this case these two
kinds of cells will contain as bud-idioplasm two different groups of
determinants, which mutually complete each other and form perfect
germ-plasm, and only the co-operation of these two sets will give rise
to the formation of a bud. I will not, however, go further into detail
in regard to these relations, for the theory can do nothing more here
than formulate what has been observed; it is hardly in a position to
help us to a better understanding of the facts.
The case is not much clearer in regard to the processes which lead to
the replacing of lost parts. The manifold phenomena of regeneration
can also be brought into harmony with the theory, if we attribute to
those cells from which the replacing or entire reconstruction of the
lost part arises an 'accessory-idioplasm,' which, at least, contains
the determinants indispensable to the building up of the part. It is
possible that the assumed accessory idioplasm frequently contains
a much larger complex of determinants, and that it depends on the
liberating stimuli which, and how many of these, will become active.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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