What are the differences between germline and somatic cells?

Question

Accepted Answer

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

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