What is the Difference Between Somatic Cells and Gametes?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between somatic cells and gametes lies in their function, chromosome number, and involvement in reproduction. Here are the key differences:
- Function:
- Somatic cells are regular body cells that are not involved in sexual reproduction. They contain DNA but do not pass this DNA to offspring.
- Gametes are egg and sperm cells that contain DNA that can be passed to offspring.
- Chromosome Number:
- Somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) and are diploid.
- Gametes contain 23 chromosomes and are haploid.
- Involvement in Reproduction:
- Somatic cells are not involved in sexual reproduction and do not contribute to the genetic makeup of offspring.
- Gametes are involved in sexual reproduction and contribute half of the genetic makeup of offspring through the combination of sperm and egg cells.
In summary, somatic cells are regular body cells that do not contribute to the genetic makeup of offspring, while gametes are egg and sperm cells that contain DNA that can be passed to offspring and are involved in sexual reproduction.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Somatic Cells and Gametes? Comparative Table: Somatic Cells vs Gametes
Comparative Table: Somatic Cells vs Gametes
Here is a table comparing the differences between somatic cells (also known as body cells) and gametes:
Feature | Somatic Cells | Gametes |
---|---|---|
Definition | Somatic cells are any cells in the body, except for egg and sperm cells. They are diploid and contain two sets of chromosomes. | Gametes are the egg and sperm cells that combine during sexual reproduction. |
Origin | Somatic cells are produced by mitosis in asexual reproduction. | Gametes are produced in the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females) through a process called gametogenesis. |
Chromosomes | Somatic cells contain two sets (23 pairs) of chromosomes, inherited one each from each parent. | Gametes contain a single set of 23 chromosomes. |
Genome | Somatic cells have a diploid genome, meaning they contain two copies of each chromosome. | Gametes have a haploid genome, meaning they contain a single copy of each chromosome. |
Function | Somatic cells make up most of the body and perform various functions, such as connective tissue, epithelial tissue, nerve tissue, and muscle tissue. | Gametes' main function is to combine with other gametes during sexual reproduction, providing genetic information to offspring. |
Read more:
- Somatic vs Germ Cells
- Somatic Cell vs Egg Cell
- Gonads vs Gametes
- Male vs Female Gametes
- Germline Mutation vs Somatic Mutation
- Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells
- Gamete vs Gametophyte
- Sperm vs Egg
- Meiosis vs Gametogenesis
- Male vs Female Germ Cell
- Gametic Sporic vs Zygotic Meiosis
- Somatic vs Germline Gene Therapy
- Somatic Variation vs Germinal Variation
- Sporophyte vs Gametophyte
- Body Cells vs Primary Reproductive Cells
- Male vs Female Gametogenesis
- Gametogenesis vs Embryogenesis
- Sporogenesis vs Gametogenesis
- Spermatogenesis vs Oogenesis