Somatic cell

Overview

A somatic cell is any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells. The term "somatic" is derived from the Greek word "soma", which means body. In humans, somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes organized into 23 pairs. Each pair is made up of one chromosome from each parent.

Structure and Function

Somatic cells make up the majority of the body's cells and perform a vast array of functions. They are the workhorses of the body, carrying out the functions necessary for life. These include cells that make up the skin, internal organs, and blood. Each type of somatic cell has a specific role in the body and has a structure that is uniquely suited to carry out its function.

Cell Division

Somatic cells reproduce through a process called mitosis, which results in two identical daughter cells. This process is crucial for growth, repair, and general maintenance of the body. Unlike reproductive cells, which undergo a different process of cell division called meiosis, somatic cells maintain the full set of chromosomes.

Genetics

Each somatic cell in an individual organism contains the same DNA, but not all genes are active in every cell. The specific combination of active and inactive genes, influenced by the cell's environment and history, determines the cell's characteristics and function. This field of study is known as epigenetics.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Somatic cells are also used in a laboratory technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This technique involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an egg cell, which has had its own nucleus removed. This process is used in cloning and stem cell research.

Somatic Mutations

A somatic mutation is a change in the DNA that occurs after conception. Somatic mutations can occur in any of the body's cells except the germ cells (sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to children. These alterations can (but do not always) cause cancer or other diseases.