What is a somatic cell?

A somatic cell is any biological cell forming the body of a multicellular organism other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte or undifferentiated stem cell. Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Humans have approximately 200 different types of somatic cells, such as skin cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, and blood cells.

Key characteristics of somatic cells include:

• Genetic Material: Possess a full complement of chromosomes (diploid), unlike germ cells (haploid).
• Cell Division: Primarily undergo mitosis for growth and repair.
• Mutation: Mutations in somatic cells are not passed on to offspring, but can contribute to diseases like cancer.
• Differentiation: Somatic cells are differentiated, meaning they have specialized functions. For example, a liver cell (hepatocyte) performs different functions than a brain cell (neuron).
• Gene Expression: Only express a subset of their genes, appropriate for their specialized function.