Do somatic cells contain the full set of chromosomes?

Somatic cells are the typical body cells of an organism, and they indeed contain the full set of chromosomes. In humans, for example, these cells have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs, one from each parent. This complete set allows somatic cells to perform all the functions necessary for the organism’s body, including growth, repair, and maintenance.

During the life cycle of an organism, somatic cells undergo mitosis, where each daughter cell maintains the same chromosome number as the parent cell, preserving the complete set. This is crucial for maintaining genetic stability and ensuring that all body tissues have the necessary genetic information for their functions.

In contrast, gametes (sperm and egg cells) contain only half the number of chromosomes (23 in humans) due to the process of meiosis. This reduction is essential for sexual reproduction, allowing for the restoration of the full chromosome number upon fertilization. Thus, the complete chromosomal complement in somatic cells is crucial for the organism's normal physiological functions.