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