Germ Cells vs Somatic Cells
Cells, as we all know, are the primary units of life in humans and in other living things. As we all know, cells were discovered by Mr. Hooke in the 1600’s. From then on, it was known to be the functional or primary or smallest unit of life. They are also called the building blocks of life.
There are two primary types of cells. These are the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are found in multi-level or multi-cellular living organisms while prokaryotic cells are usually found in microorganisms such as bacteria and cyanobacteria. There are also what you call germ cells and somatic cells. Let us tackle the differences.
Germ cells are cells that are able to produce and reproduce. They produce gametes in living organisms through sexual reproduction. In most living organisms, such as animals, the germ cells came from the embryo’s gut and then transfer and travel to the gonads. These gametes are not produced by the process of mitosis. However, gametes are produced by the process of meiosis. Gametes only contain one set of chromosomes from the daughter cells they give off.
A somatic cell, on the other hand, is not a gamete cell. It is also found in multi-cellular organisms. If germ cells only contain one set of chromosomes, a somatic cell has a diploid number of chromosomes. “Somatic” came from the Greek word “soma” which means “body.” If the germ cells came from the embryo’s gut, then the somatic cells can be found in blood, connective tissue, bones, skin, and internal organs. If the process of germ cells are produced through meiosis, somatic cells are produced through the process of mitosis and cytokinesis. This continues to replace and generate old and damaged cells through this process of reproduction.
Germ cells are vital in the concept of reproduction in organisms such as in humans as this type of cell can explain how we can evolve. Somatic cells, on the other hand, can tell us how we are able to have organs, bones, tissues since these types of cells are responsible for these types of structures.
Summary:
1.Germ cells only contain one set of chromosomes; a somatic cell has a diploid number of chromosomes.
2.Germ cells came from the embryo’s gut then somatic cells can be found in blood, connective tissue, bones, skin, and internal organs.
3.The process of germ cells is produced through meiosis; somatic cells are produced through the process of mitosis and cytokinesis.