[A. Weismann's germ-plasma theory: a new methodological approach to the problems of general biology]

A. Weismann's theory of germ plasm is of special importance in the history of theoretical biology. Its meaning was not confined by presenting of neoperformistic ideas on the new level of science. In fact it predicted reduction division, the continuing of germ plasm and the significance of chromosomes in heredity. For the first time it brought a new methodology to the experimental genetics and the idea of interdisciplinary synthesis.