What are the differences between germline and somatic cells?
Posted February 1, 2024
Basis of differentiation |
Germline cells |
Somatic cells |
Definition |
Are the cells involved in the sexual reproduction of new organisms |
Are all cells in a multicellular organism that are involved with repair and reproduction of tissues not but in sexual reproduction |
Abundance |
Are very few in number |
Include the majority of body cells in multicellular organisms |
Type of cell division |
Meiosis |
Mitosis |
Functions |
Produce gametes, which participate in sexual reproduction |
Serve various functions in the body’s diverse tissues |
Significance |
Produce gametes in order to participate in the sexual reproduction |
Contribute to repair and reproduction of the body’s various tissues |
Inheritance of mutation |
Mutations in germ cells are inheritable and are passed down from parents to offspring |
Mutations in somatic cells are not inheritable and are not passed down from parents to offspring |
Effect on evolution |
Have an effect on evolution |
Have no effect on evolution |