Somatic cell

Definition

A somatic cell is any cell forming the body of an organism, excluding reproductive cells (gametes). These cells participate in the formation of tissues, organs, and the overall body structure.

Related terms

Mitosis: A process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell, essential for growth and repair in multicellular organisms.

Gamete: A reproductive cell (sperm in males or eggs in females) that carries half the genetic information of an individual and can unite with another gamete to form a new organism.

Tissue: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function within an organism, such as muscle tissue or nervous tissue