Somatic cells

Definition

Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not gametes (sperm or egg cells). These cells make up most of the body's tissues and organs, playing essential roles in growth, development, and maintenance. Unlike gametes, somatic cells undergo mitosis for cell division, allowing for growth and repair without altering the genetic makeup of the organism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Somatic cells contain two sets of chromosomes, making them diploid, with one set inherited from each parent.
2. These cells undergo mitosis for growth and tissue repair, ensuring that the genetic information remains constant across cell generations.
3. In humans, somatic cells make up approximately 99% of all cells in the body, with specialized functions in various tissues such as muscle, nerve, and skin.
4. Mutations in somatic cells can lead to diseases such as cancer, but these mutations are not passed on to offspring since they do not affect gametes.
5. Somatic cells can differentiate into many different types of cells, contributing to the development of complex organisms and their various systems.

Review Questions

• How do somatic cells differ from gametes in terms of function and cell division processes?
  • Somatic cells differ from gametes primarily in their function and the way they divide. While somatic cells are responsible for forming the body’s tissues and organs through mitosis, gametes are specialized for reproduction and undergo meiosis to ensure genetic diversity. This difference is crucial because somatic cells maintain the organism's genetic makeup, whereas gametes are involved in passing genes to the next generation.
• Discuss the implications of mutations occurring in somatic cells versus mutations in germline cells.
  • Mutations in somatic cells can lead to various health issues, including cancer, since these mutations affect only the individual and can disrupt normal cellular functions. In contrast, mutations in germline cells are heritable and can be passed down to offspring, potentially leading to genetic disorders. Understanding this distinction is important for medical research and treatment strategies targeting diseases caused by somatic mutations while considering the inherited risks associated with germline mutations.
• Evaluate the role of somatic cells in tissue repair and how this process may change with age or disease.
  • Somatic cells play a vital role in tissue repair through mitosis and differentiation into specialized cell types needed for healing. However, as organisms age or experience disease, the efficiency of somatic cell division may decline due to factors such as telomere shortening or accumulated damage. This change can lead to slower healing processes and a higher susceptibility to injury or disease, highlighting the importance of somatic cell function in overall health and recovery.

Related terms

gametes: Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that combine during fertilization to form a new organism.

mitosis: Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell.

diploid: Diploid refers to cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, typical of somatic cells.