The P lineage, marked here by the PAR-2 protein in red, gives rise to the germ cells of the adult worm. The first 4 divisions of this lineage are asymmetric: a mother cell divides to two daughter cells that have a different program or fate. Here each division yields a red P lineage cell into which germ line determinants are segregated and a non-red somatic cell. The fifth division is symmetric, yielding two germ-line precursor cells, which ultimately will go on to produce the germ line of the adult worm. Cell membranes are labeled in cyan.
© Goehring Lab 2014