What are the differences between germ cells and somatic cells?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Germ cells

Somatic cells

Definition

Germ cells encompass only egg and sperm cells

Encompass all cells in the body except egg and sperm cells

Occurrence

Found in the gonads – ovaries in females, testes in males

Found throughout the body except the gonads

Nature of the cells

Are haploid in nature toward the end of their cycle

Are diploid in nature, inheriting one set of chromosomes from each parent

Produced by

Sexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction

Production of gametes

Produce gametes (reproductive cells)

Not involved in the production of gametes

Abundance

Relatively fewer in number

Highly abundant, making up the majority of cells in the body

Type of cell division

Meiosis

Mitosis

Mutations

Get passed on through generations

Are usually not passed on through generations

Transfer of genetic information

Can transfer genetic information

Cannot transfer genetic information

Function

Production of gametes 
Involved in reproduction

Diverse functions with different types of somatic cells participating in different bodily functions

Basis of differentiation	Germ cells	Somatic cells
Definition	Germ cells encompass only egg and sperm cells	Encompass all cells in the body except egg and sperm cells
Occurrence	Found in the gonads – ovaries in females, testes in males	Found throughout the body except the gonads
Nature of the cells	Are haploid in nature toward the end of their cycle	Are diploid in nature, inheriting one set of chromosomes from each parent
Produced by	Sexual reproduction	Asexual reproduction
Production of gametes	Produce gametes (reproductive cells)	Not involved in the production of gametes
Abundance	Relatively fewer in number	Highly abundant, making up the majority of cells in the body
Type of cell division	Meiosis	Mitosis
Mutations	Get passed on through generations	Are usually not passed on through generations
Transfer of genetic information	Can transfer genetic information	Cannot transfer genetic information
Function	Production of gametes Involved in reproduction	Diverse functions with different types of somatic cells participating in different bodily functions