Somatic cell
Somatic Cell
A somatic cell (/səˈmætɪk/ 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.
Etymology
The term "somatic" is derived from the Greek word "soma", which means body. In the context of biology, somatic refers to the body cells, i.e., those that form the organism's body and are not involved in sexual reproduction.
Definition
A somatic cell is one that forms the body of an organism. In humans, somatic cells make up all the internal organs, skin, bones, blood and connective tissue. These cells also each contain two sets of chromosomes, one set from each parent, which is a characteristic feature of diploid organisms.
Related Terms
- Mitosis: The process by which a somatic cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells.
- Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. This process occurs in the two sex cells.
- Gamete: A mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.
- Zygote: The cell formed by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.
- Diploid: An organism or cell having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number.
- Haploid: An organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Somatic cell
- Wikipedia's article - Somatic cell
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