Somaatsed

Somaatsed are the non-reproductive cells that constitute the tissues and organs of an organism. In animals, they arise from the zygote through mitotic divisions and differentiate into a wide range of cell types, such as neurons, hepatocytes, muscle cells, and epithelial cells.

Genetics and inheritance: Somaatsed are typically diploid, containing two complete sets of chromosomes (in humans, 46). They carry the organism’s genetic information and can acquire mutations during development or life. Somatic mutations are not passed to offspring because they do not occur in germ cells. However, they can lead to mosaicism, where different cells in the same organism have distinct genetic makeups, and can contribute to diseases such as cancer.

Functions: The primary role of somaatsed is to form and maintain the body's tissues and organs, enabling specialized functions through differentiation and intercellular communication. In many organisms, somatic cells can also respond to injury by regenerating damaged tissue under certain conditions.

Clinical relevance: Understanding somatic cells is central to cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and biotechnological applications. Techniques such as somatic cell nuclear transfer utilize somatic cells for cloning, while reprogramming somatic cells can generate induced pluripotent stem cells for research and therapy. The study of somatic cells also informs aging, tissue homeostasis, and various developmental processes.