a theory of heredity that emphasizes the continuity of the germ plasm from generation to generation and the rigid separation of the somatoplasm which dies in every generation, thus prohibiting the transmission of acquired characters
See Weismannism in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(wīsˈmə-nĭzˌəm, vīsˈmän-ĭzˌəm)
noun
The theory that all heritable characteristics arise in the germ plasm and that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited.