What is a characteristic feature of somatic cells compared to gametes?

Somatic cells are characterized by containing a full set of chromosomes, which is the diploid number for most organisms, including humans. In humans, this means somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. This is in contrast to gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) that contain only half the number of chromosomes, or haploid cells, which is 23 chromosomes in humans. The full set of chromosomes in somatic cells is crucial for their role in growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues, allowing them to carry out the necessary functions of the organism’s body.

Other options do not accurately describe somatic cells: they do not have half the number of chromosomes like gametes; they are not involved directly in reproduction (this role is specific to gametes); and somatic cells can exist in both unicellular and multicellular organisms, contradicting any limitations on their existence. Therefore, the defining characteristic of somatic cells is their complete set of chromosomes.